Biden advances $1 billion in arms for Israel amid Rafah tensions
The Biden administration informally notified congressional committees Tuesday that it planned to move forward with more than $1 billion in weapons deals for Israel
officials familiar with the matter, a major transfer of lethal aid that comes a week after the White House paused a single shipment of bombs
The arms deals allow for the potential transfer of $700 million in tank ammunition, $500 million in tactical vehicles and $60 million in mortar rounds
The decision underscores the administration’s reluctance to defy pro-Israel donors in the Democratic Party who criticized Biden’s decision
A U.S. official told The Washington Post that “arms transfers are proceeding as scheduled” and referred to comments from national security
Israeli officials have vowed to launch a major invasion into southern Gaza aimed at eliminating four Hamas battalions in the border city of Rafah.
Even though the shipments in the latest arms packages would not arrive imminently, critics say advancing the packages sends a message to Israeli leaders
Still, many Republicans and many Democrats have been supportive of U.S. arms transfers to Israel.