As the trend of escalating wars in the Middle East continues, the State Department has announced it has approved $20 billion in arms sales to Israel.
The Pentagon said in a statement that the advance includes a variety of weapons, including fighter jets and equipment worth about $19 billion, tank ammunition worth $774 million, more than $60 million in mortar shells and military vehicles worth $583 million.
“The United States is committed to Israel’s security, and helping Israel develop and maintain a strong and responsive self-defense capability is critical to U.S. national interests. This proposed sale is consistent with those objectives,” the State Department said.
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U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (right) walks with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in Washington, DC, in June. (Celal Gunes/Anadolu via Getty Images)
In a statement, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant thanked the United States for allowing Israel to maintain its “qualitative military advantage in the region.”
“I thank Secretary of Defense Austin and Secretary of State Blinken for moving forward with this important force expansion plan that will help Israel build and maintain a quality military advantage in the region,” he posted. X. “This includes incorporating the F-15IA into the IAF’s fighter fleet and providing vital munitions to ensure Israel’s capabilities and security.”
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“As we fight to defend Israel on seven different fronts, the message of your support and commitment to Israel’s security is clear,” he said.
Hezbollah fighters formed a human barrier during the funeral procession for slain Hezbollah commander Fouad Shukr in the southern outskirts of Beirut on August 1. (Khaled Desouki/AFP via Getty Images)
The looming sale comes at a time when regional tensions are reaching breaking point.
Regional sources told Fox News chief foreign correspondent Trey Yingst on Monday that they were concerned about Iran and its proxies. Possible attack on Israel The attacks are due to be launched within the next 24 hours in retaliation for the killing of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran late last month.
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The Israel Defense Forces are seen operating in the Gaza Strip city of Rafah. (Israel Defense Forces)
The Lebanon-based terrorist group Hezbollah fired 30 rockets into northern Israel on Monday, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), but no casualties were reported.
“Following sirens sounded in northern Israel shortly before, approximately 30 artillery shells were seen coming from Lebanon towards the Kabuli area, some of which fell in open areas,” an IDF spokesman said.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (left) and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin attend a press conference on the sidelines of the Australia-US 2024 Ministerial Consultation at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, last week. (Drew Ungerer/AFP via Getty Images)
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The $20 billion arms sale is not expected to be handed over to Israel immediately, and the sale is expected to secure the country’s resources in the long term.
Fox News Digital’s Greg Norman and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
