The Biden administration approved the sale of up to 50 F-15 fighter jetsvehicles and ammunition to Israel in a deal valued at more than $20 billion, sending an unequivocal message that weapons will continue to flow despite concerns about the conduct of Israeli forces in the war in Gaza.
Under the terms of the agreement, the United States would send up to 50 Boeing Co. F-15IA aircraft, along with upgrade kits for another 25 F-15sas well as radars and other equipment. The United States would also send air-to-air missiles, ammunition for tanks and mortars, and medium tactical vehicles.
The total deal would amount to $20.3 billion. Israel would not receive the new planes until 2029 at the earliest.
While Congress can still block a deal, Tuesday’s announcement underscores President Joe Biden’s determination to keep supplying Israel with the weapons it wants, even as criticism mounts over civilian deaths in the Gaza Strip. In the months since Hamas fighters attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing some 1,200 people, Israeli forces have waged a campaign that has left nearly 40,000 deadaccording to the Hamas-run Health Ministry.
“The United States is committed to Israel’s security, and it is vital to U.S. national interests to help Israel develop and maintain a strong and ready self-defense capability,” the State Department said.
“The addition of the F-15IA to the Israeli Air Force’s fighter aircraft fleet will enhance Israel’s interoperability with American systems and strengthen Israel’s air capabilities to confront the Current and future enemy threats“, he said.
Netanyahu accuses US of “withholding weapons” for Israel
In June, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused the United States of withholding weapons from Israel while his country was “fighting for its life,” an accusation the White House denied. The dispute – which both sides later said had been resolved – highlighted growing friction between the United States and Israel over the campaign against Hamas, which the United States and the European Union label as a “democratic group.” terrorist group.
The sale was carried out after two Democrats, Sen. Ben Cardin of Maryland and Rep. Gregory Meeks of New York, dropped their opposition in June. In a statement to the Washington Post, Cardin spokesman Eric Harris said all concerns had been “addressed through our ongoing consultations with the Administration”.
The Biden administration had suspended shipments of some large bombs to Israel in May over concerns about the protection of civilians in the Gaza Strip city of Rafah.
