The United States has authorized the transfer of billions of dollars worth of bombs and fighter jets to Israel in recent days, according to two sources familiar with the effort, even as Washington publicly expresses concerns about an anticipated Israeli military offensive in Rafah, a Hamas stronghold in southern Gaza. The decision has sparked criticism from some Democrats and Arab American groups, who argue that the unwavering support provides Israel with a sense of impunity.
The new arms packages include more than 1,800 MK-84 2,000lb bombs and 500 MK-82 500lb bombs, the sources confirmed, corroborating a report in the Washington Post. This military assistance comes on top of the $3.8 billion in annual aid that the United States provides to Israel, its longtime ally.
The authorization of the weapons transfer follows a visit to Washington by Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant earlier this week, during which he discussed Israel's weapons needs with U.S. counterparts. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Gallant emphasized the importance of U.S. ties to his country's security and the need to maintain Israel's "qualitative military edge" in the region, including its air capabilities.
However, the decision to provide additional military support to Israel has caused a rift in U.S.-Israeli relations, with some Democrats calling for President Joe Biden to withhold aid without an Israeli commitment to put measures in place to limit civilian casualties in Rafah. The issue has also led to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu canceling a visit by a delegation to Washington this week after the U.S. refused to veto a United Nations Security Council resolution that called for a temporary cease-fire in Gaza and the release of hostages.
The war in Gaza erupted on October 7 after Hamas militants attacked Israel, killing 1,200 people and seizing 253 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. In response, Israel launched an air and ground assault on Hamas in the Gaza Strip, which has resulted in the deaths of more than 32,000 people, according to health authorities in Gaza.
President Biden acknowledged "the pain being felt" by many Arab Americans over the war in Gaza and U.S. support for Israel and its military offensive. However, he has vowed continued support for Israel despite the increasingly public rift with Prime Minister Netanyahu.
Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, stated on Thursday that Israel hasn't received all the military arms it has requested as its fight with Hamas intensifies. "Although we've been supporting them with capability, they've not received everything they've asked for," he said. "Some of that is because they've asked for stuff that we either don't have the capacity to provide or not willing to provide, not right now."
The White House declined to comment on the weapons transfers, while the Israeli embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A State Department official told Fox News Digital that fulfilling an authorization from one notification to Congress can result in dozens of individual Foreign Military Sales cases across the decades-long life-cycle of the congressional notification.
As the conflict in Gaza continues, the Biden administration faces mounting pressure from progressive Democrats and pro-Palestinian protesters, who have voiced their displeasure with the president's support for Israel at every turn. During a multi-million dollar fundraiser in New York City on Thursday, protesters gathered outside Radio City Music Hall to call for an end to Israeli aid, while several protesters interrupted the festivities inside the venue.
