The US is quietly sending Israel ammunition and laser-guided missiles. Pentagon has significantly increased military aid to Israel, fulfilling requests that span a spectrum of weaponry, including laser-guided missiles for Apache gunships, 155mm shells, night-vision devices, bunker-buster munitions, and new army vehicles, as outlined in an internal Defense Department document.
This revelation comes amid the Biden administration’s growing concerns about Israel’s approach to minimizing civilian casualties in the Gaza Strip.
The arms requested by Israel, engaged in conflict with the designated terrorist group Hamas, are detailed in a document titled “Israel Senior Leader” requests, dated late October, currently circulating within the Pentagon.
According to Bloomberg News, the arms are either in the process of being shipped or are being made available from stockpiles in the U.S. and Europe.
The Pentagon, while declining to discuss specifics, has stated that it is “leveraging several avenues – from internal stocks to U.S. industry channels – to ensure Israel has the means to defend itself.”
The statement underscores that security assistance is arriving on an almost daily basis, encompassing precision-guided munitions, small-diameter bombs, 155mm artillery shells, and other munitions, in addition to Iron Dome interceptors and medical support equipment.
Criticism has emerged from non-governmental organizations, contending that U.S. supplies have facilitated Israel’s bombing campaign, resulting in a high number of casualties in the Gaza Strip.
More than 30 relief organizations issued a letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, urging him not to send the requested 155mm shells, citing their inherent indiscriminate nature in densely populated areas.
The arms supply includes Hellfire Laser Guided missiles for Apache helicopters, 30mm cannon ammunition, and various requested munitions.
Michael Eisenstadt, Director of Military and Security Programs at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, suggests that Israel is utilizing Apache helicopters to support ground troops against Hamas, employing both cannon fire and Hellfire missiles strategically.
Israel’s request encompasses a wide range of weaponry, including artillery shells, rifles, night vision devices, hand-held bunker-buster munitions, mortars, and the new Joint Light Tactical Vehicle, among others.
Notably, the U.S. is also returning 155mm shells to Israel, previously sent from U.S. stocks in Israel to replenish supplies in Europe for Ukraine’s fight against Russia’s invasion.
In an interesting development, Israel has requested 200 armor-piercing Switchblade 600 dive-bombing drones from AeroVironment Inc.
This request raises questions about the availability of drones and potential implications for Foreign Military Financing grants, possibly facilitated through the Foreign Military Sales process.
As US is quietly sending Israel ammunition and laser-guided missiles, this increased military aid underscores the ongoing U.S. commitment to ensuring Israel’s defense, yet it prompts debate and scrutiny regarding the impact of supplied weaponry on the conflict and civilian casualties in the region.
