President Joe Biden has announced plans to send an $8 billion arms shipment to Israel, including air-to-air missiles, Hellfire missiles, artillery shells, and bombs. The consignment, pending approval from the House and Senate committees, underscores Biden’s firm stance on supporting Israel, even as civilian casualties in Gaza have led to calls for Washington to reconsider its military backing.
This announcement comes just weeks before Biden leaves office, with Donald Trump set to be inaugurated on January 20, 2025. The Biden administration has reiterated its commitment to Israel’s defense, citing threats from Iran and its proxies. A senior official remarked, “The president has made clear Israel has a right to defend its citizens, consistent with international law.”
U.S. support for Israel has long been described as “iron-clad,” with the country accounting for 69% of Israel’s major arms imports between 2019 and 2023, according to SIPRI. In May 2024, the U.S. temporarily paused a shipment of 2,000lb and 500lb bombs over concerns about an Israeli ground offensive in Rafah, sparking criticism from Republicans and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Since then, Biden partially lifted the suspension, signaling continued support for Israel’s military capabilities.
The planned arms shipment comes against the backdrop of Israel’s ongoing campaign in Gaza, which began after Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack that killed 1,200 people and led to 251 hostages being taken. Since then, over 45,580 people in Gaza have reportedly been killed, according to the territory’s Hamas-run health ministry.
This arms sale is likely to be Biden’s final military deal with Israel, marking the end of his administration’s legacy in U.S.-Israel relations. Meanwhile, President-elect Trump, who campaigned on reducing U.S. involvement in foreign conflicts, has urged Israel to conclude its Gaza operation swiftly while maintaining staunch support for the country.
The planned shipment has reignited debates over America’s role in global conflicts, with critics questioning the timing and necessity of the deal as Biden’s term nears its end.
