The Biden administration has approved the transfer of a significant weapons package to Israel, including over 1,800 MK84 2,000-pound bombs and 500 MK82 500-pound bombs. Despite concerns from Washington about a potential military operation in southern Gaza, Pentagon and State Department officials have confirmed the authorization.
A State Department official explained that the process of fulfilling such authorizations involves multiple Foreign Military Sales cases over many years, with major procurements often divided into several cases. Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, noted that Israel has not received all the military arms it has requested as its conflict with Hamas escalates.
While the Biden administration has expressed worries about the situation in Gaza, it continues to support Israel's right to self-defense. The administration has emphasized that conditioning aid has not been its policy, despite calls from some Democrats to withhold aid until measures are in place to reduce civilian casualties in Gaza.
The military assistance to Israel has strained U.S.-Israeli relations, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu canceling a delegation visit to Washington after the U.S. declined to veto a UN Security Council resolution calling for a temporary cease-fire in Gaza. Progressives critical of Biden's stance on Israel have protested outside his fundraising events, demanding an end to Israeli aid.
