ALBAWABA - Days after granting Israel $3.5 billion worth of armory, the US Congress approved a $20bn arms package to Israel as the latter continues to wage a brutal aggression on Gaza for 10+ months.
In an official statement, the US Department of State announced that Secretary Antony Blinken had personally approved the package, which will include fighter jets and missiles.
"The United States is committed to the security of Israel, and it is vital to US national interests to assist Israel to develop and maintain a strong and ready self-defense capability," the statement reads.
The deal comprises Boeing F-15 fighter planes, Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs), 120mm tank ammo, high explosive mortars, and tactical vehicles.
Some of the arms, including over 50 fighter planes, might take years to arrive. Other supplies, such as 33,000 tank shells and 50,000 explosive mortar cartridges, might arrive soon.
The US said that the rounds from tanks "will improve Israel’s capability to meet current and future enemy threats, strengthen its homeland defense and serve as a deterrent to regional threats".
The announcement came as Israel braced for retaliation from Iran and Hezbollah in response to the killings of high-ranking Hamas and Hezbollah officials, raising fears of a regional conflict.
Critics have urged the Biden administration to halt weapons exports to Israel, claiming that they make the US complicit in the destruction of Gaza. They also point out that the supply of weaponry is a source of leverage.
Reports that Israel is breaking international law and committing atrocities such as torture have not stopped the supply of weaponry, despite US legislation requiring military forces credibly accused of human rights crimes to be cut off from support.
Al-Aqsa Flood operation against Israel
Hamas military group announced on Oct. 7 a military operation called "Al-Aqsa Flood" against Israel which is the biggest offensive in decades.
Palestinian fighters “infiltrated” Israel from the Gaza Strip and captured military bases and took hostages as photos and videos went viral online showing Hamas fighters on vehicles inside Israel and others paragliding into occupation territory.
In response, Israeli armed forces announced targeting Hamas positions inside the Gaza Strip. Thousands were killed, and dozens of thousands of others were injured in the Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip.
The latest statistics by the Ministry of Health in Gaza revealed that the death toll from Israeli brutal pounding on the Gaza Strip since October 7 has soared to 39,929+ people, with more than 92,240+ injuries.
Since then, approximately 85% of Gazans have been displaced, all of whom are suffering from severe food insecurity, and the healthcare system has collapsed. Hundreds of thousands of people lack shelter, and aid trucks are entering the area at a lower rate than before the conflict began.
