The Washington Post reported that the United States has finalized over 100 arms sale deals with Israel since the onset of the Gaza conflict on October 7, with only two of these deals being publicly announced.
According to the American newspaper, which claimed access to “classified” information, these transactions include thousands of guided munitions, bombs, armor, small arms, and other lethal weaponry.
Of all the military agreements with Israel since October 7, only two have been disclosed: one involving tank ammunition worth $106 million and another for components necessary to manufacture 155mm shells valued at $147.5 million.
The remaining transactions, known as “Foreign Military Sales,” were conducted without public discourse, as per American officials and legislators who spoke on condition of anonymity.
These deals are the latest indicator of Washington’s involvement in the ongoing five-month conflict.
This is in spite of growing reservations among senior US officials and lawmakers about Israel’s military approach, which has resulted in over 30,000 deaths according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
These sales have sparked public scrutiny, especially as the Biden administration bypassed Congress to approve the deals through emergency authority.
The Washington Post described these agreements as “a massive transfer of firepower,” amid complaints from senior US officials that the Israelis have ignored their calls to minimize civilian casualties, allow more aid into Gaza, and refrain from rhetoric advocating the displacement of Palestinians.
US officials have warned the Israeli government against launching an attack in Rafah without a civilian evacuation plan, but some lawmakers are concerned that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu might ignore Washington’s pleas.
A senior US State Department official declined to provide the total number or cost of all weapons transferred to Israel since October 7, but described them as typical elements for any advanced military like the Israeli army.
Israel does not disclose data on its weapons expenditure but stated in the first week of the war that it had already dropped 6,000 bombs on the Gaza Strip.
