US considers over $1bn weapons deal for Israel amid Middle East tensions – Report

The US is considering more than $1 billion in new weapons deals for Israel, including tank ammunition, military vehicles, and mortar rounds, amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, according to a report on Friday. The proposed deal by the Biden administration includes transfers of $700 million in 120 mm tank ammunition, $500 million in […]

The US is considering more than $1 billion in new weapons deals for Israel, including tank ammunition, military vehicles, and mortar rounds, amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, according to a report on Friday.

The proposed deal by the Biden administration includes transfers of $700 million in 120 mm tank ammunition, $500 million in tactical vehicles, and less than $100 million in 120 mm mortar rounds, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing US officials.

This package, reportedly among the largest to Israel since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack, which killed 1,200 people, would be in addition to those in a military aid deal currently before Congress, the report stated.

The sale would require approval from the US Congress and could take months or years to be delivered, it said.

• Tinubu presidency, Chagoury and the N15.6trn highway controversy
• ‘Why Dangote Refinery crashed diesel price to N1,000 p/l’

The State Department did not immediately respond to Anadolu’s request for comment.

The US is facing a barrage of criticism for providing military aid to Israel amid reports of Tel Aviv targeting civilians — with more than 34,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, killed in Gaza, and credible reports of violations of international law and US law, including the blocking of American aid.

The report also came amid heightened tension between Iran and Israel after Tehran launched a drone and missile attack in response to the April 1 attack on its consulate in Syria, which killed seven Iranian military officers, including two top-ranking commanders.

Last month, a half-dozen Democratic senators sent a letter to President Joe Biden urging him to halt arms sales to Israel because it is currently in violation of a 1961 law that prohibits arms sales to nations that obstruct the delivery of American aid.