US Administration Seeks Congressional Approval for Major Arms Sale to Israel

According to sources with knowledge of the matter, the Trump administration is seeking Congressional approval for a $6.4 billion arms sale to Israel, which includes support equipment and various weapons, such as advanced attack helicopters and troop carriers. This development comes as Israel announced on Friday that it has expanded its military operations in Gaza City and bombed Hamas infrastructure, escalating fears among displaced Palestinians who claim they have no safe passage to escape. Details of the proposed arms package: The planned deal would provide Israel with 30 AH-64 Apache attack helicopters in a contract valued at $3.8 billion. An additional $1.9 billion would be allocated for 3,250 infantry assault vehicles designed for ground operations. Furthermore, $750 million worth of spare parts for armored personnel carriers and power supplies is also in the approval process. Collectively, these deals represent one of the largest U.S. military support packages for Israel in recent years. The timing ahead of global diplomacy: This announcement is made just days before global leaders are set to gather in New York for the United Nations General Assembly. The UN Security Council is also scheduled to hold a high-level meeting on Gaza, where the humanitarian crisis is worsening due to continuous Israeli bombardments. The Wall Street Journal was the first to report on the potential helicopter and vehicle sales on Friday. The White House has not yet issued a statement on the matter. Contrast in US politics: President Trump’s unwavering support for Israel’s military is in stark contrast to the growing skepticism among Democrats. On Thursday, a group of U.S. senators introduced the first Senate resolution calling for the recognition of a Palestinian state. Over half of the Senate Democrats have also recently voted against further arms sales to Israel, reflecting increasing concern over the civilian death toll in Gaza.