With $20 Billion Weapons Deal, U.S. Aims to Help Israel and Deter Iran

For months, the Biden administration waited to formally approve $20 billion in future American weapons sales to Israel, including F-15s and medium-range missiles. The official notification to Congress was finally announced last week — right before Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken traveled to Israel in a bid to nail down a cease-fire agreement with Hamas.

Almost none of the arms — which also include tank ammunition, tactical vehicles and mortars — are expected to be delivered to Israel for several years at least. But the delay in approving them underscores the delicate balance the administration faces between supporting Israel in its war in Gaza and responding to the anger in the United States over massive civilian casualties in that war.

The White House has tried to contain domestic opposition to arms for Israel in Congress, while attempting to keep the war against Hamas from escalating into a wider regional conflict.

“We recognize Israel’s right to defend itself from terrorism and other security threats, consistent with international humanitarian law,” a State Department statement said. “We will continue to do what is necessary to ensure Israel can defend itself in the face of these threats.”

U.S. officials said the White House considered a number of factors — including daily developments in Gaza, last month’s visit to Washington by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel and concerns about retaliation by Iran and its proxies, especially after the assassinations of senior Hamas and Hezbollah leaders — in deciding when to formally approve the sales. The timing of the announcement also intended in part to avoid an ugly fight in Congress at a time when the Biden administration is trying to broker a cease-fire. Congress is not in session this month, and a 15-day clock for lawmakers to try to block the sales runs out next week.