The United States Department of State has notified Congress of an $8 billion (£6.4 billion) arms sale to Israel, sparking criticism as the devastating aggression in Gaza continues.

The sale includes air-to-air missiles, Hellfire missiles, artillery shells, and bombs, pending approval from Congressional committees.

The decision, announced just weeks before President Joe Biden leaves office, comes despite mounting calls for Washington to halt military support to Israel due to the massive civilian casualties in Gaza. Critics argue that continued arms sales effectively enable the ongoing bombardment of the besieged territory, where over 45,580 people have been killed since Israel launched its genocidal aggression campaign in October 2023.

Israel has relied heavily on US military aid to maintain one of the world’s most advanced militaries. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), 69% of Israel’s major arms imports between 2019 and 2023 were supplied by the US.

Biden has repeatedly described US support for Israel as "iron-clad," even as his administration briefly paused the transfer of 2,000lb and 500lb bombs in May 2024 over concerns about a potential Israeli ground operation in Rafah. That pause was lifted under pressure from Republicans and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who likened it to an "arms embargo."

Palestinian health officials have described the humanitarian situation in Gaza as catastrophic, with the health ministry reporting over 45,580 deaths since the conflict began. Human rights organizations have repeatedly called for an immediate ceasefire, accusing Israel of violating international humanitarian law by targeting civilian infrastructure and densely populated areas.

As President Biden prepares to leave office, this arms deal is seen by many as a troubling final act that prioritizes Israel’s military strength over Palestinian lives and peace in the region. President-elect Donald Trump, known for his staunch support of Israel, has similarly called for a rapid conclusion to the Gaza campaign but has offered no indication of reassessing US military aid policies.

For critics of US policy in the Middle East, the $8 billion arms sale underscores Washington’s continued complicity in Israel’s war crimes in Gaza, fueling a cycle of violence that has left thousands of Palestinian civilians dead and millions more living in fear and desperation. (ILKHA)