Focus on the BIG picture.
Wednesday, Jun 17, 2026
Outside the box.
Biden Administration Approves $1 Billion in New Arms for Israel
Congress notified of large weapons package after temporary bomb shipment pause
The Biden administration has notified Congress of plans to move forward with over one billion dollars in new weapons deals for Israel.
This announcement comes less than a week after the White House paused a bomb shipment due to a planned Israeli assault on Rafah.
The new arms package includes 700 million dollars in tank ammunition, 500 million dollars in tactical vehicles, and 60 million dollars in mortar rounds.
There are additional steps before these weapons are approved and delivered.
The decision highlights the administration’s reluctance to deepen tensions with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the Rafah operation by restricting long-term weapons deals.
U.S. officials have opposed a full-scale Israeli attack in Rafah, citing potential civilian casualties and a worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, but have so far withheld only a single shipment of bombs.
President Biden indicated that he might withhold more weapons if Israel targets population centers in Rafah, while affirming continued support for weapons used in self-defense.
This announcement comes less than a week after the White House paused a bomb shipment due to a planned Israeli assault on Rafah.
The new arms package includes 700 million dollars in tank ammunition, 500 million dollars in tactical vehicles, and 60 million dollars in mortar rounds.
There are additional steps before these weapons are approved and delivered.
The decision highlights the administration’s reluctance to deepen tensions with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the Rafah operation by restricting long-term weapons deals.
U.S. officials have opposed a full-scale Israeli attack in Rafah, citing potential civilian casualties and a worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, but have so far withheld only a single shipment of bombs.
President Biden indicated that he might withhold more weapons if Israel targets population centers in Rafah, while affirming continued support for weapons used in self-defense.