The US State Department has informally notified Congress of an $8 billion proposed arms sale to Israel according to a report on Friday, weeks before the Biden administration leaves office.
The State Department presented the agreement as a measure to "support Israel's long-term security by resupplying stocks of critical munitions and air defence capabilities," Axios reported, citing a source familiar with the matter.
"The President has made clear Israel has a right to defend its citizens, consistent with international law and international humanitarian law, and to deter aggression from Iran and its proxy organizations. We will continue to provide the capabilities necessary for Israel's defence," a US official was quoted in the report.
The proposed arms sale, pending congressional approval, includes AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles targeted at airborne threats including drones and fighter jets, 155mm artillery shells, small diameter bombs, 500-pound warheads, bomb fuses and other related equipment, the report added.
The sale will reportedly see munitions delivered from current US stocks, while the majority will take one or more years to be produced and delivered.
Israel continues to face accusations from human rights groups of violations of international law, including in its use of US weapons, in its war with Hamas in Gaza, where tens of thousands have been killed. An accusation which it denies.
The US faces criticism for providing military aid to Israel, who according to human rights groups violates international law, including its use of US weapons in its offensive in Gaza.
Biden had earlier halted shipments of 1,800 2,000-pound bombs and 1,700 500-pound bombs to Israel in May because of its offensive on the southern Gaza city of Rafah, citing civilian casualties in the enclave as a consequence of the bombs. In July, he decided to move ahead with the shipment of 500-pound bombs to Israel after a two-month pause.
The flow of other military equipment to Israel continued, however, including $20 billion in fighter jets and other military supplies that were approved by the State Department in August.
The US, which provides $3.8 billion in annual security assistance to Israel, is by far the biggest supplier of arms to Tel Aviv, with more than 70% of Israel’s arms imports coming from the US, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
US-made weapons have been documented in several Israeli strikes on Gaza that resulted in civilian casualties, although American authorities have declined to confirm the fact.
A State Department report in May said it is “reasonable to assess” that Israel used US-made weapons in ways that are inconsistent with international humanitarian law. The report stopped short of reaching a definitive conclusion, saying it does not have "complete information."
The CIA has fired several recent hires this week as part of the Trump administration's efforts to reduce and streamline the federal workforce
In a significant escalation of its "maximum pressure" campaign against Iran, the Trump administration is reportedly mulling a plan to stop and inspect Iranian oil tankers at sea.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has once again promised to cancel the province’s $100 million contract with Elon Musk’s Starlink, citing the recent imposition of U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods as the primary driver behind the decision.
Planned job cuts announced by U.S. employers surged by 245% in February to 172,017, the highest level seen since the COVID-19 downturn in July 2020 and the steepest February total in 16 years, according to global outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas.
In a significant development, France has stepped forward to offer intelligence assistance to Ukraine after the United States suspended its intelligence sharing with Kyiv.
Canada’s Liberal Party is set to elect a new leader on March 9, moving beyond Justin Trudeau’s decade in power. The race comes as U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats against Canada fuel a wave of patriotism ahead of an expected election.
French President Emmanuel Macron dismissed Russia’s criticism on Thursday, after the Kremlin warned him over nuclear rhetoric. Speaking at an EU summit in Brussels, he accused Moscow of imperialism and said Russia’s strong reaction showed his claims were true.
Torrential rains triggered severe flooding in eastern Spain on Thursday, sweeping away cars and forcing school evacuations. Authorities closed roads in Murcia, Valencia, and Catalonia, with officials urging residents to stay indoors.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced he will visit Saudi Arabia on Monday to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, aiming to advance peace efforts. His team will remain in the country for talks with U.S. partners, he said in a Telegram post.
North Korea criticised upcoming U.S.-South Korea military drills on Friday, warning they would worsen tensions on the Korean Peninsula, state media KCNA reported. The annual Freedom Shield exercises are set to begin on Monday and last until March 20.
Norway’s government has affirmed that it will continue to supply fuel for U.S. Navy vessels, dismissing recent calls from a private marine fuel supplier to halt deliveries amid tensions linked to U.S.-Ukrainian relations.
President Donald Trump is preparing a new travel ban that could block entry for people from Afghanistan and Pakistan as early as next week. The move is part of an intensified immigration crackdown.
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission, Kaja Kallas, will chair the 20th EU-Central Asia Ministerial meeting hosted this year by Turkmenistan, in Ashgabat, on 4 March.
Watch AnewZ Live Coverage of the Trump-Zelenskyy meeting at the Oval Office at https://anewz.tv/tv-live
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reaffirmed his respect for the United States and its people in an interview with Fox News, following a tense meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House.
Canada’s Liberal Party is set to elect a new leader on March 9, moving beyond Justin Trudeau’s decade in power. The race comes as U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats against Canada fuel a wave of patriotism ahead of an expected election.
French President Emmanuel Macron dismissed Russia’s criticism on Thursday, after the Kremlin warned him over nuclear rhetoric. Speaking at an EU summit in Brussels, he accused Moscow of imperialism and said Russia’s strong reaction showed his claims were true.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced he will visit Saudi Arabia on Monday to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, aiming to advance peace efforts. His team will remain in the country for talks with U.S. partners, he said in a Telegram post.
North Korea criticised upcoming U.S.-South Korea military drills on Friday, warning they would worsen tensions on the Korean Peninsula, state media KCNA reported. The annual Freedom Shield exercises are set to begin on Monday and last until March 20.
President Donald Trump has postponed 25% tariffs on many imports from Mexico and some from Canada for one month, easing concerns over a broader trade war.
Canada’s Liberal Party is set to elect a new leader on March 9, moving beyond Justin Trudeau’s decade in power. The race comes as U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats against Canada fuel a wave of patriotism ahead of an expected election.
French President Emmanuel Macron dismissed Russia’s criticism on Thursday, after the Kremlin warned him over nuclear rhetoric. Speaking at an EU summit in Brussels, he accused Moscow of imperialism and said Russia’s strong reaction showed his claims were true.
Torrential rains triggered severe flooding in eastern Spain on Thursday, sweeping away cars and forcing school evacuations. Authorities closed roads in Murcia, Valencia, and Catalonia, with officials urging residents to stay indoors.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced he will visit Saudi Arabia on Monday to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, aiming to advance peace efforts. His team will remain in the country for talks with U.S. partners, he said in a Telegram post.
North Korea criticised upcoming U.S.-South Korea military drills on Friday, warning they would worsen tensions on the Korean Peninsula, state media KCNA reported. The annual Freedom Shield exercises are set to begin on Monday and last until March 20.
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