Several US lawmakers on Monday questioned whether a $735 million weapons sale to Israel that President Joe Biden had approved should go through, saying it should be leveraged to force Israel to halt its campaign against Gaza Strip-Based terrorists, the Washington Post reported on Tuesday.
Operation Guardian of the Walls, launched on May 10 after Hamas fired missiles at Jerusalem, has seen Hamas and Islamic Jihad fire over 3,500 rockets at central and southern Israel. Twelve Israelis – 11 civilians and one soldier – have been killed and over 650 wounded.
IDF airstrikes on Gaza have eliminated considerable Hamas assets, including extensive parts of its grid of terror tunnels and rocket arsenals. Over 150 terrorists have been killed, including top commanders in both terrorist groups.
While the IDF maintains it is sparing no effort to minimize civilian casualties, Gaza authorities say at least 214 Palestinians have been killed, including 58 children.
#BREAKING: HFAC Chair @RepGregoryMeeks will send a letter to Biden admin in next few days requesting a delay of the sale of $735 million in precision-guided missiles to Israel.
Delay would allow lawmakers to review the sale. Idea received support among HFAC Dems in mtg. https://t.co/jRVrBqMl57
— Alex Ward (@AlexWardVox) May 17, 2021
The American arms sale, which Congress was notified of on May 5, includes Joint Direct Attack Munitions that are used to turn bombs into precision-guided missiles, according to the newspaper.
With criticism over the Biden administration's support of Israel amid the conflict growing, some lawmakers have said the sale should be stopped or at least postponed.
"Allowing this proposed sale of smart bombs to go through without putting pressure on Israel to agree to a ceasefire will only enable further carnage," a legislator on the House Foreign Affairs Committee told the Washington Post.
Congressman Gregory Meeks, head of the US State Committee, called on members of the Democratic Party to discuss a deal, saying he will send a letter to Biden calling to pause the sale, due to the escalation between the Jewish state and the Islamist terrorist group.
Under US law, the administration is required to notify Congress of such sales. Legislators then have 20 days to pass a resolution opposing the sales.
Rep. @Ilhan Omar: "It would be appalling for the Biden Administration to go through with $735 million in precision-guided weaponry to Netanyahu without any strings attached in the wake of escalating violence and attacks on civilians." pic.twitter.com/wCbMQxMx59
— Alex Ward (@AlexWardVox) May 17, 2021
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday urged all parties to end the fighting and ensure civilians are protected. He reiterated that while Israel has the right to self-defense, it also shoulders the burden to do everything in order to avoid civilian casualties.
The US has laready vetoed two United Nations Security Council statements that would condemn Israel's actions and call for a ceasefire.
