US Plans $6 Billion In Arms Sales To Israel As Gaza Conflict Intensifies

US Plans $6 Billion In Arms Sales To Israel As Gaza Conflict Intensifies

Donald Trump and Israeli PM Netanyahu during a dinner in the Blue Room of the White House in July 2025.

Washington:

The Trump administration has informed Congress of plans to sell approximately $6 billion worth of military equipment to Israel, demonstrating continued support for the U.S. ally despite growing international criticism over the Gaza conflict.

The proposed sales include a $3.8 billion package featuring 30 AH-64 Apache helicopters, which would nearly double Israel's existing fleet, along with a separate $1.9 billion deal for 3,200 infantry assault vehicles for the Israeli army, according to sources familiar with the matter who requested anonymity as the plans have not been officially announced.

These military assets would not be delivered for at least two to three years, possibly longer.

This substantial arms deal comes amid stalled U.S. efforts to negotiate an end to the nearly two-year conflict between Israel and Hamas, and follows widespread condemnation from Middle Eastern U.S. allies after Israel's strike against Hamas leadership in Doha, Qatar.

Despite increasing international pressure and opposition from a growing number of Democratic senators seeking to block offensive weapons sales to Israel, the U.S. has maintained its military support.

The State Department has declined to comment on these sales, which were initially reported by The Wall Street Journal.

Israel has recently launched a new military campaign aimed at taking control of Gaza City, even as scholarly organizations specializing in genocide studies have accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza.

The United Kingdom, which last year suspended certain weapons exports to Israel over concerns about potential violations of international humanitarian law, recently barred Israeli government officials from attending Britain's largest arms exhibition.

Turkey has announced the closure of its airspace to Israeli government aircraft and any cargo transporting weapons for Israel's military, while Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has publicly condemned Israeli attacks on Gaza as disproportionate.

President Trump announced Friday his plans to meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Washington next week, with discussions expected to cover purchases of Boeing aircraft and F-16 fighter jets.

While the Biden administration had previously halted shipments of 2,000-pound bombs to Israel due to concerns about civilian casualties, Trump lifted this restriction upon taking office in January.

The Trump administration has already approved approximately $12 billion in major military assistance to Israel this year, including a $500 million arms sale in June providing bomb guidance kits to enhance precision capabilities.