US reaffirms commitment to arming Israel despite regional tensions, Gaza genocide

The United States has reaffirmed its commitment to arming Israel, despite growing anger inside and outside the US over the regime’s atrocities in the Gaza Strip.

Department of State spokesperson Matthew Miller on Monday defended recent arms transfers to its ally, which included fighter jets and 900kg bombs.

“I do not agree with that at all,” he said when asked whether the weapons transfers damaged the “credibility” and “sincerity” of US statements slamming the killing of too many civilians in Gaza.

“We have been very clear that we want to see Israel do everything it can to minimize civilian casualties. We have made clear that they need to operate at all times in full compliance with international humanitarian law,” Miller said.

The official also reaffirmed the US’s “long-term commitment ” to what he called “Israel’s right to self-defense”  despite growing concerns about rights abuses in the Gaza Strip. 

His remarks come as reports said last week that Washington authorized arms transfers to Israel worth billions of dollars. The package includes more than  1,800 MK84 2,000-pound bombs and 500 MK82 500-pound bombs, as well as 25 F35A fighter jets.

Critics say the US policy of arming Israel violates American laws prohibiting military aid and weapon sales to regimes engaged in rights abuses.

Several progressive lawmakers have called on President Joe Biden to end his unconditional support for Israel.

On Sunday, Democratic Senator Jeff Merkley stressed that the US is complicit in the atrocities committed in Gaza.

“We must also recognize that America is complicit in this tragedy by resupplying Israel with bombs and failing to use America’s leverage to increase aid delivered into Gaza,” he wrote in a series of social media posts.

“Reflecting on the admonition to feed the hungry and assist the stranger, and ‘blessed are the peacemakers,’ let’s push Team Biden to do better. More aid. No bombs.”

US mulls new weapons deals

Despite pressure to withhold arms, a US report said on Monday that the Washington is considering major new weapons sales to Israel.

Citing a congressional aide and a person familiar with the issue, The Politico said the package includes up to 50 new F-15 fighter jets, 30 AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles, and a number of Joint Direct Attack Munition kits, which turn dumb bombs into precision-guided weapons.

The digital newspaper said the deals are pending US government approval.

But noting that the administration has already informally notified the relevant congressional committees, the report said, “That step typically means the administration is ready to move forward with the sale.”

Israel launched the war on Gaza on October 7 after the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas waged the surprise Operation Al-Aqsa Storm against the occupying entity in response to the Israeli intensified violence against Palestinians.

Tel Aviv has also blocked water, food, and electricity to Gaza, plunging the coastal strip into a humanitarian crisis.

Since the start of the offensive, the Tel Aviv regime has killed at least 32,845 Palestinians and injured nearly 75,392 others.