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White House on Wednesday sought approval for $1 billion arms package, including tank in rounds, mortars, and armored vehicles to Israel, amid the heightened conflict in Gaza.
The White House has submitted a proposal to Congress seeking approval for the shipment of more than $1 billion in weapons to Israel, officials disclosed on Wednesday.
The package, reportedly including tank rounds, mortars, and armored tactical vehicles, marks a significant development amid escalating tensions in the Gaza conflict, according to Reuter.
The plan, confirmed by a congressional aide to CBS, is subject to approval by lawmakers.
President Biden’s decision to delay the shipment of 2,000lb (900kg) bombs to Israel underscores the administration’s cautious approach amid mounting civilian casualties in Gaza. “Civilians have been killed in Gaza as a consequence of those bombs,” Mr. Biden stated.
The proposed arms package, the first since the Biden administration paused arms transfers to Israel, includes $700 million in tank ammunition, $500 million in tactical vehicles, and $60 million in mortar rounds.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas erupted following the latter’s cross-border attack on southern Israel on October 7th.
Since then, the violence has claimed the lives of approximately 1,200 people, with over 35,170 casualties reported in Gaza, including 82 fatalities in the past 24 hours, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry.
