WASHINGTON DC, USA – The Biden administration has discreetly approved the transfer of advanced military hardware, including bombs and fighter jets, to Israel, the Washington Post reports.
This move comes amidst growing apprehensions about a potential Israeli military onslaught in southern Gaza, which poses a dire risk to civilian lives.
According to Pentagon and State Department officials who wished to remain anonymous, the arms package includes over 1,800 MK84 2,000-pound bombs and 500 MK82 500-pound bombs.
These munitions, especially the 2,000-pound variants, have been implicated in past mass-casualty incidents during Israel’s military engagements in Gaza.
Despite emerging rifts between the United States and Israel concerning the latter’s military tactics, it appears that the provision of arms remains a non-negotiable aspect of the Biden administration’s strategy to influence Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.
A White House official underscored the continuity of support for Israel’s defensive capabilities, stating, “Conditioning aid has not been our policy.”
The controversy surrounding the arms transfers has sparked debate among U.S. lawmakers, with some advocating for a more measured approach that would see weapons withheld absent an Israeli pledge to minimize civilian casualties.
Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) expressed the need for the administration to leverage its position more effectively, suggesting that certain assurances should precede further military support for operations in Gaza.
The tension over these military authorizations comes amid a backdrop of escalated hostilities in Rafah, where the final Hamas battalions are situated, and over a million Palestinians have sought refuge. President Biden has communicated his concerns directly, urging Netanyahu to consider U.S. proposals aimed at mitigating the humanitarian crisis.
However, a planned visit by Israeli security officials to Washington was canceled following the U.S.’s refusal to veto a U.N. Security Council resolution calling for a cease-fire.
The State Department’s recent clearance for the transfer of 25 F-35A fighter jets to Israel, a deal approved by Congress in 2008, further illustrates the depth of the U.S.-Israel defense partnership.
This and other arms transfers have been scrutinized for potentially bypassing new congressional notifications, raising questions about transparency and accountability.
The use of 2,000-pound bombs in densely populated areas has been largely discontinued by Western militaries due to the high risk of civilian casualties.
However, Israel’s reliance on these munitions in Gaza, including a strike on Jabalya refugee camp that resulted in over 100 deaths, has drawn international condemnation and allegations of war crimes, which Israel denies.
Support for the Biden administration’s unwavering military aid to Israel remains strong among pro-Israel interest groups in Washington.
Nonetheless, critics, including former State Department officials, decry the policy as a moral and legal abdication, implicating various stakeholders in the consequences of Israel’s military actions.
As discussions continue behind the scenes, there’s speculation that diplomatic efforts may delay Israel’s planned operation in Rafah.
However, the overarching concern remains the humanitarian impact of the conflict on Gaza’s civilian population, already teetering on the brink of disaster.
