The Biden administration approves massive arms package for Israel worth about $20 billion
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday approved the possible sale of more than $20 billion worth of fighter jets and military equipment to Israel, the Pentagon said.
The Pentagon said in a statement that Secretary Blinken approved the potential sale of F-15 aircraft and equipment worth about $19 billion.
The department said Blinken also approved the potential sale of tank shells worth about $774 million and military vehicles worth $583 million.
Tank shells would be ready for delivery almost immediately, while fighter jets would take years to produce and deliver.
The United States has strongly backed Israel as its main ally in the Middle East wages a devastating war on the Gaza Strip.
The war erupted after Hamas attack on October 7, 2023.
With Washington agreeing to supply weapons to Israel, it’s also trying to arrange a ceasefire in Gaza that would prevent a wider war in the Middle East.
Fears of a wider conflict have grown since the recent assassinations of Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh in Iran and Hezbollah military commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut.
Their deaths have sparked threats of retaliation against Israel.
