Biden administration initiates complex procedure for $1 billion arms deal with Israel

The Biden administration has started the initial steps towards a new $1 billion arms deal for Israel, as confirmed by two congressional sources.

Discussions have been initiated by the State Department with the House Foreign Affairs and Senate Foreign Relations committees following an informal notification on Tuesday. There is currently no specific timeline for when Congress will be officially notified of the sale, which will kickstart the approval process.

The Biden administration has paused the shipment of bombs to Israel due to concerns about their use in heavily populated areas like Rafah. As a result, discussions are underway for a new $1 billion arms deal.

One congressional source revealed that the potential deal could involve $700 million in tank ammunition, $500 million in tactical vehicles, and $60 million in mortar rounds. The Wall Street Journal was the first to report on the administration's talks with Congress regarding this proposed sale.

The weapons being talked about will not be sent to Israel right away. The sale still has to be approved by Congress, which could take a while, especially if there are objections from Congress.

US officials have mentioned that they will be reviewing other weapons shipments to Israel. However, they have also stated that the US will ensure that Israel has the necessary military capabilities to protect itself. This shows that long-term weapon deals will not be stopped for now.

"We will keep sending military support to Israel and make sure they get all the help promised. We stopped sending 2,000-pound bombs because we don't think they should be used in crowded cities. We're discussing this with the Israeli government," national security adviser Jake Sullivan stated on Monday.

The State Department didn't provide any additional comments, referring back to Sullivan's statements.

The Pentagon also declined to comment.

This story has been updated with additional reporting.

Editor's P/S:

The Biden administration's proposed $1 billion arms deal for Israel has raised concerns among some lawmakers and human rights advocates. Critics argue that the sale would further fuel the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine, and could lead to more civilian casualties. They point to the recent pause in the shipment of bombs to Israel due to concerns about their use in heavily populated areas, and question the need for such a large arms deal.

However, supporters of the deal argue that it is necessary to ensure Israel's security in the face of threats from Iran and other regional actors. They maintain that the United States has a moral obligation to support its allies, and that the arms sale will help to deter aggression and prevent conflict. It remains to be seen whether Congress will approve the deal, but the debate is likely to continue in the coming weeks and months.