US Congress Approves Largest Arms Deal for Israel in Years

Two key Democrats in the US House of Representatives and Senate have signed off on the largest arms deal for Israel in recent years. The deal, which includes 50 F-15 fighter jets valued at over $18 billion, comes after intense pressure from the Biden administration and pro-Israel advocates, according to the Washington Post.

The decision, which had not been previously announced, underscores Washington's commitment to maintaining the flow of weapons to Israel despite concerns from younger members of Congress. These members believe the US should leverage its influence to pressure Tel Aviv to end the conflict and allow humanitarian aid into Gaza.

Earlier, Representative Gregory W. Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, publicly vowed to block the arms package unless he received assurances from the administration regarding the use of the warplanes and munitions in Gaza, where over 37,000 Palestinians have been killed.

In addition to the F-15 jets, the administration sought to include air-to-air missiles and Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) kits, which upgrade unguided bombs with precision guidance.

Meeks told CNN in April, "I don’t want Israel to use weapons that could cause more casualties. I want to ensure humanitarian aid reaches those in need. I don't want people to starve, and I want Hamas to release the hostages. And I want a two-state solution."