Washington is preparing a $6 billion weapons package for Israel, even as criticism mounts over the country’s ongoing offensive in Gaza and pressure grows inside the US Congress.
The Trump administration has notified Congress of a plan to supply Israel with roughly $6 billion in weapons and equipment, a move seen as a fresh show of support for Washington’s key Middle East ally amid Israel’s latest large-scale ground operation in Gaza.
According to Associated Press and Reuters reports, the package includes 30 AH-64 Apache attack helicopters worth about $3.8 billion, nearly doubling Israel’s existing Apache fleet, and around 3,200–3,250 infantry assault vehicles valued at roughly $1.9 billion. An additional $750 million in spare parts and power supplies for armoured personnel carriers is also moving through the approval process.
US officials told The Wall Street Journal that deliveries would likely take two to three years and that the sale would be financed under America’s foreign military assistance programme.
The plan was reportedly communicated to congressional leaders about a month before Israel’s 9 September strike on Hamas leaders in Doha, Qatar, even as US-led mediation efforts between Israel and Hamas have stalled.
Despite rising international pressure on Israel and moves by Senate Democrats to block offensive weapons transfers, the Republican administration has maintained strong backing. On Thursday, a group of senators introduced the first resolution urging recognition of a Palestinian state, highlighting growing divisions in Washington over continued arms sales.
Author: Özgür Ekşi
