President Joe Biden has given provisional approval for a $680 million arms deal with Israel, as reported on Wednesday. The decision comes amidst ongoing US efforts to mediate a ceasefire in Gaza.
The package, which includes small-diameter bombs and JDAM kits to convert unguided bombs into precision-guided weapons, has been months in the making. Despite the US advocating for peace, this move highlights a complex policy stance, as the nation supports Israel in its conflicts with Hamas and Hezbollah.
Read more: Israel Signs Ceasefire Agreement with Lebanon
Congressional committees reviewed the deal in September, and it was submitted for broader scrutiny in October. The announcement closely follows a US-facilitated truce between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, requiring Israeli withdrawal within 60 days.
During a White House address, Biden reaffirmed his commitment to achieving a ceasefire in Gaza, emphasizing collaboration with Turkey, Egypt, and Qatar. He stated the US aims to secure the release of hostages and diminish Hamas’s power in the region.
The conflict in Gaza has resulted in devastating losses, with Israeli strikes causing over 44,000 Palestinian deaths since October 7. Concurrently, clashes in Lebanon between Israeli forces and Hezbollah have claimed over 3,800 lives in the past 13 months.
Critics have questioned the US’s dual approach, balancing military support for Israel with peace advocacy. Calls from lawmakers, including Senator Bernie Sanders, to halt arms sales have not gained significant momentum.
US officials have denied using arms sales as leverage in peace talks, rejecting any connection between the recent arms transfer and the Israel-Hezbollah agreement. However, human rights groups and international observers have criticized Washington’s contradictory policies, supporting Israel militarily while attempting to mediate peace in the Middle East.
The arms deal underscores the enduring US-Israel partnership but raises concerns about America’s impartiality as a mediator in the ongoing conflict.
