The Biden administration plans to transfer major weapons to Israel as the president calls for a ceasefire, The Wall Street Journal reported Friday.
The arms donation is expected to be worth tens of millions of dollars and include approximately 1,000 MK-82 bombs, 1,000 KMU-572 joint direct attack munitions, and 1,000 FMU-139 bomb fuses. WSJ reported. reportsaid a current and former U.S. official.President Joe Biden Said “A temporary ceasefire is necessary to rescue the hostages,” he said on Friday.
“I’m still hopeful that we can get that done,” Biden said Friday. “In the meantime, I hope the Israelis do not launch a large-scale ground invasion.”
The deal is still under review within the administration and could change before Congressional committee leaders are notified, the Journal reported.
The proposed handover comes as Israel plans to launch an operation in the Gaza Strip city of Rafah to attack Hamas militants hiding there, along with civilians, WSJ reported. Biden previously said the operation “should not proceed” without a “credible and workable plan” to ensure the safety of Palestinian civilians. (Related: Biden tells Israeli prime minister military operation in Gaza “should not proceed” without a “credible” plan)
“A temporary ceasefire is needed to rescue the hostages.”
Joe Biden wants to strike a hostage deal and “bring Americans home” as Israel-Hamas war continues.
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The Israeli government requested “the expedited acquisition of these items for Israel’s defense against continuing and emerging threats in the region,” according to an evaluation of the proposal by the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem reviewed by the Journal.
“Israel takes effective action to prevent serious human rights violations and to hold accountable security forces that commit human rights abuses,” the assessment said. “Up until now, Israel has been a transparent partner in the fight against the United States’ alleged misuse of defense equipment.”
BREAKING: The Wall Street Journal reports that the Biden administration is “preparing to send bombs and other weapons to Israel to build up its military even as the U.S. seeks a ceasefire.”
— Spectator Index (@spectatorindex) February 17, 2024
According to the WSJ, the United States has provided Israel with nearly 21,000 precision-guided munitions since the war began.
The White House did not respond to requests for comment.
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