Biden Considers Selling $18 Billion Worth F-15 Jets to Israel

The Biden administration will requests Congress' approval to sell $18 billion worth of F-15 fighter fighters to Israel. The State Department has informed two congressional committees to initiate a legislative review procedure for the order, which is the initial stage before the Department formally authorises the transfer of up to 50 planes. The sale of 25 F-15s from Boeing to Israel has been under evaluation by the United States since receiving the formal request in January 2023, predating Israel's military incursion in Gaza by six months. This transaction would increase the number to a maximum of 50 F-15s. The F-15 purchase was initially reported by Politico and CNN and verified by two U.S. officials. The agreement, one of the most significant U.S. military sales to Israel in years, would encompass ammunition, training, and further assistance. The United States has expedited some armaments for Israel's current fight against Hamas, but the F-15s will not be delivered for at least five years, according to U.S. officials. According to a U.S. official, the aircraft might be delivered as early as 2029 if the formal notification is sent to Congress tomorrow and finalised promptly. Israeli officials have informed U.S. officials that Israel is preparing to make a new purchase of F-35 jets. Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant requested expedited aircraft delivery during his recent visit to Washington, where he met with U.S. officials such as National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin. On the other hand, Biden, who runs for presidential elections in November 2024, is under pressure from international allies, human rights organisations, and certain Democratic members of Congress to place restrictions on arms sales to control Israel's military actions in Gaza, which Hamas governs. Health officials report that over 32,000 Palestinian civilians have died in the conflict.