- The sale would also include ammunition and training
- This measure is expected to spark a heated debate in Congress
- F-15s may not arrive in Israel for years to come
The White House will approve an $18 billion arms sale to Israel, including several dozen F-15 fighter jets.
It would be the largest arms sale by Washington to Tel Aviv since the start of Israel’s war against Hamas on October 7.
The sale has been under consideration since the United States received a formal request in January 2023.
Speeding up deliveries was one of the top requests from Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant when he visited Washington last week.
The Biden administration will sell several dozen F-15s to Israel as tensions rise in the Middle East
An Israeli Air Force F-15 fighter jet flies during an exhibition as part of a pilot’s graduation ceremony at Hatzerim Air Base in southern Israel
US President Joe Biden is welcomed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he visits Israel amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Tel Aviv, Israel, October 18, 2023
Gallant held talks with US officials, including Biden’s national security adviser Jake Sullivan and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.
The F-15s have to be built and would not arrive in Israel for several years.
Israel wants to increase its air force not only to fight Hamas, but also to deter the threat from Iran and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah.
The military package includes a large number of F-15 aircraft, aircraft munitions and support services, training, maintenance and many years of contractor support throughout the aircraft’s life cycle, which can last as long as 20 years.
CNN reported that the agreement could include up to 50 F-15s.
U.S. law requires Congress to be notified of major foreign military sales deals, and the sale is likely to spark heated debate.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant (R) arrives at the US Department of State for a meeting with US officials in Washington, DC, US, March 25, 2024
Defense Secretary Gallant met with White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan
It comes as Biden is under pressure from some Democrats to curb support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Washington has publicly expressed concern about Israel’s expected military offensive in Rafah, the southernmost city in the Gaza Strip.
Many Palestinians have sought shelter after being displaced by Israel’s nearly six-month assault on Gaza.
Gallup polls show that the American public has less support than before for Israeli military action in Gaza
Photo taken on April 1, 2024 shows destroyed buildings near Shifa Hospital in Gaza City
Destruction in the northern Gaza Strip after Israeli airstrikes, as seen from the southern Gaza Strip
Israel launched an offensive in Gaza after terror group Hamas launched a horrific attack on southern Israeli communities on October 7, killing 1,200 people and kidnapping 253 hostages.
Washington provides $3.8 billion annually in military aid to its longtime ally.
US officials have criticized Israel for the high Palestinian death toll among civilians in Gaza.
But so far they have resisted calls to impose conditions on arms transfers to Israel.
There was no immediate comment from the Israeli embassy in Washington on the sale of F-15s.
Congress can block such arms sales by passing a resolution denouncing human rights violations or other concerns.
However, such a resolution was never adopted and survived the presidential veto.
An informal review process allows Democratic and Republican leaders of foreign affairs committees to vet such agreements before formally reporting them to Congress.
Michael McCaul, the Republican chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, has already given the green light to the sale of the F-15.