The White House has informed Congress of its intention to send over $1 billion (£800 million) in additional weaponry to Israel, despite U.S. opposition to a full-scale Israeli military invasion of Rafah in southern Gaza. This announcement follows a recent decision to pause the shipment of bombs to Israel due to concerns about civilian casualties in densely populated areas.
The proposed arms package, which can be blocked by Congress if a majority objects, is reported to include $700 million in tank ammunition, $500 million in tactical vehicles, and $60 million in mortar rounds, according to the Associated Press. This notification is part of a process mandated by U.S. federal law for arms sales to foreign nations exceeding a certain threshold. Last month, Congress approved a military aid package totaling $95 billion for Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan.
As Israeli tanks advance deeper into residential neighborhoods of Rafah, approximately a mile from the city center, medical services in the area are rapidly depleting. Aid agency Doctors Without Borders has ceased operations at one of its field hospitals due to safety concerns.
The notification of the arms package is likely to provoke objections from some congressional members. However, historically, Congress has never successfully blocked an arms sale funded by previously approved funds. Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen criticized the decision, urging that no further arms transfers should occur until the Israeli government addresses President Biden’s concerns regarding Rafah and humanitarian assistance.
A recent U.S. State Department report indicated that some American-made weapons supplied to Israel may have been used in violation of international law. Although the report criticized some Israeli military operations in Gaza, it refrained from definitively stating that the Israel Defense Forces’ actions violated international law. It noted that assurances received from Israel about the lawful use of U.S. weapons were “credible and reliable.”
This arms-sale notification is the first since Biden paused arms transfers to Israel last week. The president cited concerns over the use of 2,000-pound (900 kg) bombs in ground operations, acknowledging that such bombs had resulted in civilian casualties in Gaza.
The issue of weapons transfers to Israel has become politically contentious for Biden, particularly in the lead-up to the November 2024 presidential election. Activists have urged voters to protest against what they perceive as Biden’s preferential treatment of Israel amid the ongoing Gaza conflict.
In response, Republican lawmakers have introduced legislation to prevent further pauses in arms shipments to Israel. The House of Representatives is expected to vote on a measure requiring the State and Defense Departments to ensure the “prompt delivery” of military equipment. The White House has pledged to veto this bill if it passes the Senate, which is considered unlikely.
Israel launched its military campaign against Hamas following a cross-border attack on October 7, which resulted in around 1,200 deaths and 252 hostages taken in southern Israel. Since then, more than 35,170 people have been reported killed in Gaza, including 82 in the last 24 hours, according to the Hamas-run health ministry in the territory