top news
The Biden administration has told Congress that the United States plans to move forward with a plan to sell more than $1 billion worth of new weapons to Israel, according to three congressional aides familiar with the deal.
The notice of sale, which will include new tactical vehicles and ammunition, comes as President Biden put a hold on bomb shipments to Israel to prevent American weapons from being used in a potential invasion of the southern Gaza city of Rafah. Last week, President Biden announced that he would block the entry of bombs, missiles and other weapons that could be launched into populated areas where more than 1 million Palestinians are sheltering.
The potential arms transfer showed the narrow path the Biden administration is walking with Israel as it tries to stop the attack on Rafah and limit civilian casualties in Gaza while continuing to supply a longtime ally that the president has said has the right to defend itself. . One congressional aide suggested that Congress had known about the arms deal for months and that the administration waited until a foreign aid package containing additional aid to Israel was passed before going through the necessary congressional notification process.
Regarding this package, previously reported by the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), the State Department referenced recent comments by White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and stated its commitment to continue providing military support to Israel to defend itself against threats. region.
“The president has made clear that if such an operation were to occur, he would not provide certain offensive weapons,” Mr. Sullivan said. “That hasn’t happened yet. And we are still working with Israel to find better ways to defeat Hamas across Gaza, including Rafah.”
The government has been pushing for a cease-fire agreement that would free at least some of the hostages Hamas held when it attacked Israel and began the war on October 7. But Qatar’s prime minister, a key participant in the talks, said Tuesday that the talks had reached a “near stalemate.”
Mr. Biden initially embraced Israel after the Oct. 7 attack that killed about 1,200 people, but he has become increasingly at odds with Israel’s conduct of the war that has killed more than 34,000 people in the Gaza Strip, local health officials said. . .
Nonetheless, even as he threatened to withhold additional weapons last week, he made clear that the United States would supply weapons to ensure the security of allies, including the Iron Dome missile defense system and “counterattack capabilities.” Launched by Iran in April.
The State Department’s informal notification of the arms transfer to the required congressional committees begins a multi-step process in which top foreign affairs lawmakers informally consider the terms of the arms transfer and deliberate privately with the State Department. The full Congress will then consider this package.
Edward Wong contributed to the report.
