Trump administration plans $6.4b in weapons sales to Israel, sources say
Israel's military said it had expanded operations in Gaza City yesterday and bombarded Hamas infrastructure, while displaced Palestinians traumatised by the advance said they had no means to flee
Highlights:
- Potential sale includes 30 attack helicopters, 3,250 Joint Light Tactical Vehicles
- United Nations convenes meeting on Gaza next week
The Trump administration is seeking congressional approval to sell Israel $6.4 billion in support equipment and weapons including attack helicopters and troop carriers, people familiar with the matter said yesterday (19 September).
Israel's military said it had expanded operations in Gaza City yesterday and bombarded Hamas infrastructure, while displaced Palestinians traumatised by the advance said they had no means to flee.
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The news of the proposed sale came days before world leaders were set to gather in New York for the annual United Nations General Assembly next week, which the UN Security Council is also due to hold a high-level meeting on Gaza.
The planned package includes a deal worth $3.8 billion for 30 AH-64 Apache attack helicopters and $1.9 billion for 3,250 infantry assault vehicles for the Israeli army.
Another $750 million worth of support parts for armoured personnel carriers and power supplies are also working its way through the sale process, one of the people said.
The Republican president's full-throated support for Israel's military contrasts with growing wariness about Israel's assault on Gaza among Democrats.
On Thursday (18 September), a group of US senators introduced the first Senate resolution to urge recognition of a Palestinian state and more than half of Democrats in the Senate recently voted against further arms sales.
The Wall Street Journal reported the potential helicopter and vehicle sales yesterday.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
