Israel thanks US for new $20bn arms package
Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant thanked the US for the $20bn arms package, hailing it as a "message of support and commitment to Israel’s security".
On Tuesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken approved a new batch of arms sales to Israel, totalling over $20bn in military equipment, according to the Pentagon.
The Pentagon confirmed that Blinken approved the potential sale of F-15 jets and related equipment worth nearly $19bn. Additionally, he approved the possible sale of tank cartridges valued at approximately $774m and army vehicles worth $583m.
The tank rounds would be almost immediately available for delivery.
The sale comes amid mounting criticism of the Biden administration for continuing to authorise arms transfers to Israel despite the death toll in Gaza approaching more than 40,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children.
Thank you to @SecDef Austin and @SecBlinken for advancing critical force buildup initiatives that assist Israel in developing and maintaining its qualitative military edge in the region. This includes incorporating F-15IAs into the IAF fleet of fighter aircraft, and providing… pic.twitter.com/fUR1pKhERN
— יואב גלנט - Yoav Gallant (@yoavgallant) August 13, 2024