The deal would reportedly provide tank ammunition and tactical vehicles — equipment Israel could use in an invasion.
As Israel initiates what many fear could be the worst phase of the genocide in Gaza yet, the Biden administration has reportedly begun the process of sending over $1.2 billion of weapons despite public proclamations from the Biden administration opposing an invasion of Rafah.
The Wall Street Journal and multiple other outlets reported that congressional sources say the administration has notified Congress that it is pursuing the deal. It would reportedly include the transfer of $700 million of tank ammunition, $500 million in tactical vehicles and $60 million in mortar rounds — all ground-based military equipment that could help arm the tanks that are pushing into Rafah now or transport troops deeper into Gaza.
The deal shows that the Biden administration does not want to upset Israeli donors who had criticized officials for pausing a shipment of bombs, as The noted. It also undermines the public criticisms of Israel by the U.S. administration, which continues to work on more arms deals as Israel’s military prepares to decimate Rafah.
News of the deal comes as an Israeli ground invasion of Rafah looms. Biden administration officials have assessed that enough Israeli troops have amassed at the border of Rafah to launch a full-scale invasion in the coming days, CNN reported on Monday.
