US sanctions $20bn Arms Sale to Israel Amidst Ongoing Israel-Gaza Conflict

Massive Arms Deal

In a significant development in the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict, the United States government has approved a colossal sale of military equipment to Israel, totaling approximately $20bn. This includes combat-proven fighter jets, tank cartridges, explosive mortar cartridges, and army vehicles, announced in a statement by the Pentagon.

Stepping up its role as Israel’s most significant ally and weapons supplier, the US has inked multiple deals, including selling F-15 jets and other equipment worth nearly $19bn, tank cartridges valued at $774m, explosive mortar cartridges valued at over $60m, and army vehicles worth $583m. Primarily manufactured by Boeing Co, these advanced F-15 fighter jets would take years to produce with the deliverables expected to begin only by 2029. Other supplies would start to be dispatched from 2026 onwards.

These supplies are expected to reinforce Israel’s defense forces amidst the relentless warfare, which magically transformed the Israel-Gaza territories into a war-zone. The US, in recent times, has already been instrumental in providing Israel with over 10,000 potent 2,000-pound bombs and thousands of Hellfire missiles since the war started in October.

International Diplomacy in Action

The arms deal was ratified amid increasing diplomatic efforts to prevent a potential full-blown war in the Middle East. Western diplomats have been working tirelessly following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran last month, which many, including Iran and its allies, attribute to Israel. Subsequently, Iran has firmly declined the West’s urge not to retaliate against Israel.

Nasser Kanani, Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson, stated that these demands were devoid of political logic and against the principles of international law. In conversation with the British prime minister, Iran’s President was critical of the West’s silence on the escalating violence in Gaza and other Middle East regions. He described it as irresponsible, thereby encouraging Israel, putting regional and global security at stake.

Apart from contemplating a major response to the murder of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, Iran has indicated a willingness to entertain a ceasefire if discussions scheduled this week were fruitful. Such a ceasefire would enable Iran to carry out a rather modest “symbolic” response.

US Looks Towards Peaceful Resolution

Amid these tensions, the United States, led by President Joe Biden, is hopeful that Iran might abstain from retaliating if a ceasefire in Gaza is settled. The US Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield expressed Washington’s primary objective in the Middle East as lowering the ongoing tensions, defending against future attacks and avoiding a regional conflict.

In the meanwhile, tensions in the region further escalated with the ultranationalist national security minister of Israel, Itamar Ben-Gvir, breaking established protocols by leading hundreds of Israelis in religious hymns and rituals in Jerusalem’s Old City. This local area, holy to both Jews and Muslims, has previously seen agreements that permit Jewish visits, but not prayers.

In summary, while significant arms deals indicate a more militarized involvement from the US, diplomatic initiatives are simultaneously underway to secure a peaceful way out. The coming days would prove crucial in determining the course this conflict takes.