Biden Seeks $8B Arms Sale to Israel

Facts

• The US Dept. of State reportedly told Congress over the weekend that it planned to send $8B worth of weapons to Israel. The sale includes medium-range air-to-air missiles, 155 mm projectile artillery shells, Hellfire AGM-114 missiles, 500-pound bombs, and more.^[1]
• The sale is a long-term agreement, as the majority of the munitions and equipment will take one or more years to deliver. The sale will need approval from the House and Senate foreign relations committees before it goes through.^[2]
• Meanwhile, as negotiations for a cease-fire in Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages continue, Hamas has reportedly released a list of 34 hostages that could potentially be freed. The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denied that Hamas had given Israel the list.^[3]
• It is also unclear if all of those on the list released to the media are still alive. Negotiations have been underway in Qatar, but there have not been any indications that significant progress has been made. Both Israel and Hamas have accused the other of obstructing the process of negotiations.^[3]
• US Sec. of State Antony Blinken said on Monday that the US hopes to see a deal agreed upon in the next two weeks before Pres. Joe Biden's term ends. Earlier, Blinken indicated that a deal would likely occur, though possibly after incoming Pres. Donald Trump takes office.^[4][5]
• In Gaza, an eighth baby has died of hypothermia, as the strip experiences bad weather amid continued Israeli restrictions on humanitarian aid. Intense fighting in northern Gaza is ongoing, as Israel continues its siege of the area.^[6]

Sources: ^[1]Associated Press, ^[2]Axios, ^[3]BBC News, ^[4]The Times of Israel (a), ^[5]The Times of Israel (b) and ^[6]Al Jazeera.

Narratives

• Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by The New York Times. Though the US will always support Israel's right to defend itself, it also values human rights and international law, thus why it has worked with Israel to ensure that US weapons are not used to commit war crimes. Indeed, the Biden admin. has walked a fine line, giving Israel the weapons it needs but also limiting the impact on civilians. 
• Pro-Israel narrative, as provided by FDD. The Biden admin. has made many mistakes in the last 15 months regarding its support for Israel, but making sure Israel has the weapons it needs to defend itself from terror across the region is always a positive step. Though the US has often attempted to tie Israel's hands in Gaza, Israel's defense has nonetheless been bolstered.
• Pro-Palestine narrative, as provided by Middle East Eye. The US is fully culpable for Israel's genocide in Gaza, as it has continued to send inordinate amounts of military support to the country. As Israeli attacks kill thousands, the US has repeatedly shielded Israel from accountability and ensured that it is armed to the teeth. This war will only end when the US ends its support for Israel's genocidal ambitions in Gaza and the wider region.