Tel Aviv, Israel – The Biden administration has informally notified Congress about a proposed $8 billion arms deal with Israel, signaling continued military and strategic cooperation between the two nations. The comprehensive package, as reported by Axios, includes artillery shells, air-to-air missiles for fighter jets, small-diameter bombs, and warheads designed to bolster Israel’s defense capabilities against evolving regional threats, including drone attacks.
According to sources cited by Axios, the deal requires formal approval from both the House and Senate committees before proceeding. The State Department has not yet commented on the proposal. However, a US official emphasized that the arms sale aligns with the administration’s commitment to Israel’s security. “The President has made clear Israel has a right to defend its citizens, consistent with international law and international humanitarian law, and to deter aggression from Iran and its proxy organizations,” the official said.
Aid to Gaza Under Review with Trump’s Inauguration
In a related development, Israel is reportedly considering reducing humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip following the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump. An N12 report suggests that Israel, which has so far coordinated its aid distribution policies with the Biden administration, may revise its approach under the new US administration.
A political source quoted in the report highlighted that a significant reduction in aid is likely. “It is highly doubtful whether the amount of aid being brought into Gaza today will be similar to the amount that will come in under the Trump administration,” the source said. The report also mentioned discussions about using private companies or the Israeli Defense Forces to distribute aid directly to Gaza residents, potentially limiting Hamas’s control over resources.
Since the onset of the war, Israel has facilitated the delivery of over 1.26 million tons of aid to Gaza through more than 63,000 trucks and pallets, according to data from the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT).
Escalation in US Strikes on Yemen’s Houthis
Meanwhile, the US is set to intensify its military strikes on Yemen’s Houthi forces before President Biden leaves office, according to a report by KAN 11. The planned operations are aimed at targeting missile-related sites as Houthi attacks on Israel have increased in recent months. Sources indicate that President Biden has provided “permissive strike authorizations” for these actions, reflecting a more aggressive posture in the region.
The proposed arms deal, combined with shifting humanitarian policies and increased military operations, underscores the dynamic and complex nature of US and Israeli strategies in the Middle East. As regional tensions remain high, these developments are likely to have far-reaching implications for security and diplomacy in the region.