US President Joe Biden has given provisional approval for a $680 million arms sale to Israel, despite ongoing diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza. This approval, reported on Wednesday, comes at a time when the US is intensifying efforts to mediate peace in the region, highlighting a complex contradiction in US foreign policy — supporting peace initiatives while continuing to arm Israel in its conflict with Hamas and Hezbollah.
The arms deal, which has reportedly been in the works for months, includes small-diameter bombs and Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) kits, which convert unguided bombs into precision-guided munitions. The timing of this sale has raised questions, as it follows a US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, announced by President Biden on Tuesday. Under the terms of the truce, Israel is required to withdraw forces from Lebanon within 60 days.
During a White House address, Biden reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to achieving a ceasefire in Gaza, emphasizing that future diplomatic efforts would involve key regional players such as Turkey, Egypt, and Qatar. He stated, “In the coming days, the United States will push for a ceasefire in Gaza — one that secures the release of hostages and ensures Hamas no longer remains in power.”
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has led to catastrophic loss of life, with Israeli airstrikes killing over 44,000 Palestinians since the escalation began on October 7, following a Hamas-led attack that killed 1,139 Israelis. In Lebanon, over 3,800 people have died in the past 13 months due to clashes between Israeli forces and Hezbollah.
Critics have expressed concern about the US’s role in the conflict, particularly its unwillingness to leverage military support for Israel to pressure a ceasefire. Despite calls from Democratic lawmakers, including Senator Bernie Sanders, to halt $20 billion in arms sales to Israel, there has been little movement in Congress on the issue.
The Biden administration has denied using arms sales as leverage in ceasefire negotiations. A senior US official stated that weapons transfers played no role in the Israel-Hezbollah truce talks. However, human rights advocates and international observers have criticized the US for its contradictory approach — advocating for peace on one hand while facilitating military support for Israel on the other.
This latest arms package underscores the deepening US-Israel alliance and raises questions about Washington’s credibility as a neutral mediator in the Middle East conflict.
