The United States Department of State has informed Congress of an $8 billion (£6.4 billion) arms shipment planned for Israel, a US official confirmed to the BBC. The proposed package, which
requires approval from House and Senate committees, includes missiles, artillery shells, and various munitions.
This development comes shortly before President Joe Biden’s departure from office. Despite international criticism over civilian casualties in Gaza, Washington has stood firm in its commitment to military support for Israel.
In August, the US authorized a $20 billion sale of fighter jets and other military hardware to Israel. The newly proposed shipment will supply air-to-air missiles, Hellfire missiles, bombs, and artillery shells, according to the US official.
A source familiar with the plan stated: “The President has emphasized that Israel has the right to defend its population, in line with international law and humanitarian principles, while deterring threats from Iran and its proxies. We remain committed to ensuring Israel has the means for its defense.”
Biden has consistently referred to US support for Israel as "iron-clad." The US remains Israel’s primary arms supplier, playing a critical role in developing its advanced military capabilities. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), between 2019 and 2023, 69% of Israel’s imports of major conventional arms came from the US.
Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza followed the unprecedented Hamas attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the abduction of 251 others. Since then, the Gaza health ministry, managed by Hamas, reports that over 45,580 people have died in the conflict. Photo by IDF Spokesperson's Unit photographer, Wikimedia commons.