This is despite the Gaza offensive. The sale would include Apache helicopters and infantry assault vehicles.
By Catholics for Catholics
In the midst of the war in Gaza and growing tensions between Qatar and Israel, the Trump administration is lobbying Congress to approve of an almost $6 billion sale of weapons to Jerusalem, according to Newsmax.
The deal would include $3.8 billion that would almost double Israel’s Apache helicopter air fleet.
The Wall Street Journal reported Friday that the Trump administration is advancing with its demand despite Israel’s strike on Hamas leaders in Qatar and its escalating assault in Gaza City.
The sale to Israel includes $1.9 billion for 3,250 infantry assault vehicles and 30 AH-64 Apache helicopters for $3.8 billion. The armament would be financed through U.S. military aid and would be delivered in two to three years.
Newsmax reported that the armament demand has continued in spite of international denunciation of Israel’s military campaign. European governments and aid groups have criticized Israel’s ground operation in Gaza City, while a U.N. committee this week accused Israel of genocide, an allegation it denies.
Israeli forces have killed 65,000 people since the war in Gaza started, according to Palestinian officials, with widespread famine and destruction reported.
“This says all systems go,” said Seth Binder, advocacy director at the Middle East Democracy Center, describing the proposed sales as a strong signal of U.S. backing.
But for the deal to go through, the White House is looking for authorization from the four top Republican and Democrat leaders of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The move is indispensable to advance the sale.
Nevertheless, reports of the intended sale came days before world leaders are scheduled to assemble next week in New York City for the annual United Nations General Assembly. During the event, the UN Security Council is also scheduled to hold a high-level meeting on Gaza.
The sales request was first introduced about a month ago, before Israel’s Sept. 9 strike in Doha, which killed Hamas officials but also angered Qatar, a key U.S. ally hosting the largest American military base in the region.
President Donald Trump later hosted Qatar’s prime minister to reassure him that the Gulf nation would not be targeted again.
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