US approves $20B in weapons sales to Israel

Aug 14

Karah Rucker Anchor

By Karah Rucker (Anchor), Brock Koller (Senior Producer), Shea Taylor (Producer), Zachary Hill (Video Editor)

The U.S. State Department has approved $20 billion in weapons sales to Israel. This package includes 50 fighter jets, air-to-air missiles, tank ammunition, and tactical vehicles, aimed at bolstering Israel’s military capabilities over the coming years.

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Despite the urgency suggested by recent regional escalations, these weapons, including scores of F-15 fighter jets and advanced missiles, won’t be delivered immediately. The earliest deliveries are slated for 2026, with the main batch of fighter jets expected to arrive by 2029. This timeline indicates that while the sale is crucial for long-term security strategies, it won’t alter the immediate balance of power or the current conflict dynamics.

This arms deal occurs as U.S. officials, including President Joe Biden, intensify efforts to mediate a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, where conflict has persisted for over ten months. The U.S. aims to prevent a broader regional conflict, amid escalating threats from Iran against Israel. However, the road to peace appears challenging, especially with Hamas, the governing authority in Gaza, opting out of upcoming ceasefire talks in Qatar, scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 15.

The U.S. faces increasing scrutiny, both domestically and internationally, for its substantial military support to Israel amid the high civilian casualties in Gaza. This support includes not only the newly approved arms but also previous supplies of thousands of bombs and missiles since the conflict’s onset last October.

Tags: Foreign aid, Israel, Israel Defense Forces, Military Aid, State Department

[KARAH RUCKER]

THIS MORNING —

THERE’S MORE UNCERTAINTY IN NEXT STEPS IN THE MIDDLE EAST.

U.S. OFFICIALS ARE STILL ANTICIPATING AN ATTACK BY IRAN AND ITS PROXY GROUPS AS SOON AS THIS WEEK.

IN THE FACE OF POTENTIAL ESCALATION AND A PROLONGED CONFLICT — THE U.S. HAS ANNOUNCED A 20 BILLION DOLLAR ARMS SALE TO ISRAEL.

MEANWHILE HAMAS’ NEW LEADER SAYS IT WON’T BE ATTENDING THURSDAY’S PLANNED MEETING IN QATAR FOR ONGOING CEASEFIRE TALKS.

PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN AND EUROPEAN LEADERS HAVE BEEN PUSHING BOTH SIDES TO RETURN TO THE NEGOTIATING TABLE AS IRAN HAS RE-UPPED ITS THREATS TO ATTACK ISRAEL.

PRESIDENT BIDEN TOLD REPORTERS TUESDAY A CEASEFIRE DEAL COULD PREVENT A BROADER WAR FROM BREAKING OUT IN THE MIDDLE EAST —

BUT THE LACK OF HAMAS’ INVOLVEMENT SIGNALS ANY COMPROMISE IS STILL FAR OFF.

THE ARMS SALE TO ISRAEL THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION APPROVED ON TUESDAY WILL INCLUDE 50 FIGHTER JETS, AIR-TO-AIR MISSILES, TANK AMMUNITION AND TACTICAL VEHICLES.

THE SALE HOWEVER ISN’T EXPECTED TO MAKE AN IMMEDIATE DIFFERENCE IN THE CURRENT CONFLICT.

IT’S UNLIKELY THESE WEAPONS WILL BE DELIVERED UNTIL 2026 AT THE EARLIEST.