US to supply $1 billion worth of new weapons to Israel despite Rafah concerns: Reports

The Biden Administration has told Congress it plans to send more than $1 billion in new US weapons to Israel, according o media reports, amid concerns over the Israeli military’s planned ground invasion of the southern Gaza city of Rafah.

The move comes despite the US being opposed to the invasion, and last week it had even paused a shipment of bombs to Israel over concerns civilians would be killed if used in densely populated areas. Among the demands by large-scale pro-Palestinian demonstrations across the United States is an end to American arms to Israel.

The package, confirmed by US media, would include $700m in tank ammunition, $500m in tactical vehicles and $60m in mortar rounds, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The White House notification is part of a process mandated by federal law when a US arms sales to a foreign nation exceeds a set amount. Last month, Congress approved a package of military aid providing $95 billion to Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan.

On Tuesday, Israeli tanks advanced deeper into residential areas in the south-east of Rafah and are thought to be about a mile from the centre.