US approves another $165m weapons sale to Israel

The US State Department has approved another $165 million weapons deal with Israel, despite concerns that Israeli forces are routinely violating international law in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.

According to the Associated Press, the weapons deal, which includes heavy-duty tank trailers, spare parts, toolkits and logistics support, is expected to be delivered by 2027.

It comes after the US announced a separate $20 billion weapons package for Israel earlier this year, including F-15 fighter jets. Like the tank trailers, these systems are not expected to be delivered for several years.

The Boeing F-15 fighter jets are expected to take years to produce, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2029. Other equipment will begin delivery in 2026 or a little earlier.

The Biden administration faces increasing pressure from lawmakers and the public to reduce military support for Israel, due to the high civilian casualty rate in Gaza. Despite this, the administration continues to maintain its backing of Israel.

The US, Israel’s main ally and weapons supplier, has sent the occupation state more than 10,000 highly destructive 2,000-pound bombs and thousands of Hellfire missiles since the start of the Gaza war in October, American officials told Reuters in June.

The war has devastated Gaza and resulted in a heavy civilian death toll, with around 41,100 Palestinians killed and 95,000 more wounded.

Israel’s military offensive against the Palestinians in Gaza has displaced almost the whole population of 2.3 million, caused a “man-made famine” and led to allegations of genocide at the International Court of Justice, which Israel denies.

READ: US approves $20bn weapons sale to Israel