US official: US prepares to sell Israel guns for $8 billion

As Washington continues to defend its friend whose assault in Gaza has claimed tens of thousands of lives, a U.S. official said Friday that the administration of President Joe Biden has informed Congress of a possible $8 billion arms deal to Israel.

Axios previously reported that the agreement, which would require clearance from Senate and House of Representatives committees, includes artillery rounds and explosives for fighter planes and attack helicopters. According to Axios, the shipment also contains warheads and small-diameter explosives.

A request for comment from the State Department was not answered.

For months, demonstrators have called for a weapons embargo against Israel, but American policy has mainly not altered. The sale of $20 billion worth of fighter planes and other military hardware to Israel was authorized by the US in August.

According to the Biden administration, it is supporting its ally in the fight against militant organizations supported by Iran, including as the Houthis in Yemen, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Hamas in Gaza.

Washington has supported Israel despite worldwide condemnation for its invasion of Gaza, which has forced out almost all of the 2.3 million people living there, created a famine catastrophe, and sparked claims of genocide that Israel rejects.

Over 45,000 people have died, according to the Gaza health ministry, and many more are thought to be buried beneath the debris.

So far, diplomatic attempts have not succeeded in ending the 15-month-old Israeli conflict in Gaza, which began when Palestinian Hamas terrorists launched an onslaught on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking around 250 hostage, according to Israeli estimates.

U.N. Security Council resolutions on a ceasefire in Gaza have also been rejected by Washington, Israel’s largest supporter and arms supplier.

On January 20, Democrat Joe Biden is scheduled to step down and be replaced by Republican Donald Trump. They both strongly support Israel.