President Joe Biden’s administration recently authorized the transfer of military equipment, including bombs and aircraft, to Israel despite its concerns about the next phase in the war against Hamas in Gaza.
This military aid legislation, which Congress approved years ago, includes more than 1,800 MK84 2,000-pound bombs and 500 MK82 500-pound bombs, the Washington Post reported, citing Pentagon and State Department officials familiar with the matter. The State Department also authorized the transfer of 25 F-35A fighter jets and engines, per the Post.
“We are unable to confirm potential or pending U.S. arms transfers before they are formally notified to Congress,” a State Department spokesperson told the Washington Examiner, adding, “In accordance with the Arms Export Control Act, fulfilling an authorization from one notification to Congress can result in dozens of individual [Foreign Military Sales] cases across the decadeslong life cycle of the congressional notification.”
Congress authorized the United States to provide the equipment to Israel years ago.
