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Trump Administration Pushes for $1B Arms Transfer to Israel Amid Cease-Fire Diplomacy

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Trump Administration Pushes for $1B Arms Transfer to Israel Amid Cease-Fire Diplomacy

Edited by: Fern Sidman

The Trump administration has formally requested congressional approval for the transfer of approximately $1 billion in military hardware to Israel, The Wall Street Journal reported on Monday. This move, which includes thousands of bombs and armored equipment, comes at a time when the White House is simultaneously working to sustain a fragile cease-fire in Gaza, highlighting the complex geopolitical balancing act at play.

According to report in The Wall Street Journal, the planned weapons sales include a significant shipment of 4,700 1,000-pound bombs, valued at over $700 million, as well as armored bulldozers manufactured by Caterpillar, worth more than $300 million. These transfers are set to be funded through the extensive U.S. military assistance package that Israel receives annually, reinforcing Washington’s longstanding commitment to bolstering Israel’s security.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is currently in Washington, where he is scheduled to meet with President Trump on Tuesday. The Wall Street Journal report noted that this visit will center on discussions regarding the cease-fire in Gaza, a separate truce in Lebanon, and broader regional tensions. During these talks, Netanyahu and other Israeli officials are expected to push for the advancement of a separate $8 billion arms package initially proposed by the Biden administration. That extensive deal, which includes additional bombs, missiles, and artillery rounds, has been stalled due to opposition from some Democratic lawmakers.

As The Wall Street Journal report detailed, the Biden administration had notified key congressional leaders of this massive arms sale before leaving office in January, but it has yet to receive full approval. Some Democratic legislators have placed holds on the sale, expressing concerns that have not been fully disclosed. A spokesperson for the Democratic members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee stated that they are continuing their engagement with the administration on multiple issues related to these weapons transfers but refrained from offering further details.

The Wall Street Journal report emphasized that the Trump administration is now actively pressuring congressional leaders to remove these obstacles and expedite the approval process. Officials familiar with these discussions indicate that the administration is determined to advance Israel’s military readiness, particularly given the tenuous state of regional cease-fires.

This proposed arms transfer comes at a critical juncture in U.S.-Israeli relations. In addition to the precarious truce in Gaza, Israel is also navigating a delicate cease-fire with Hezbollah in Lebanon. In late January, President Trump publicly supported Israel’s decision to maintain a military presence in southern Lebanon while the cease-fire agreement was being implemented. This stance has added another layer of complexity to the already volatile Middle Eastern security landscape.

From a procedural standpoint, the report in The Wall Street Journal explained that the State Department is required to notify Congress of any planned arms sales that exceed specific financial thresholds. Prior to official congressional notification, preliminary details are provided to both the House Foreign Affairs and Senate Foreign Relations committees. These committees must then review and approve the sales before they can proceed. Given the current political dynamics, whether this latest round of arms transfers will clear all legislative hurdles remains an open question.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the conflict erupted following a Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7,  2023 in which 1200 Israelis and others were brutally massacred  251 others were taken into Hamas captivity in Gaza. In response, Israel launched an extensive military campaign, which has drawn international scrutiny and calls for restraint.

Speaking aboard Air Force One, President Trump justified his decision by emphasizing Israel’s pre-existing purchase agreements. The Wall Street Journal report quoted Trump as saying, “They paid for them and they have been waiting for them for a long time.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded to Trump’s decision with public gratitude. In a video message released by his office, Netanyahu expressed appreciation for the U.S. president’s support, stating, “Thank you, President Trump, for keeping your promise to give Israel the tools it needs to defend itself, to confront our common enemies and to secure a future of peace and prosperity.” The Wall Street Journal report highlighted how Netanyahu’s statement reflects Israel’s long-standing reliance on American military aid to maintain its strategic advantage in the region.

As part of the newly proposed weapons package, The Wall Street Journal reported that the administration is seeking congressional approval to send 4,500 BLU-110 bombs and 200 Mk-83 bombs—both categorized as “general-purpose bombs” by the Pentagon. Additionally, Caterpillar’s D9 armored bulldozers are included in the sale, though their potential use in demolishing Palestinian homes has previously sparked controversy. Progressive lawmakers in Congress are expected to scrutinize the inclusion of these bulldozers.

Despite concerns from Democratic lawmakers and human rights advocates, The Wall Street Journal report emphasized that the Trump administration’s decision marks a clear policy shift toward accelerating arms transfers to Israel, reinforcing the administration’s broader stance of prioritizing military assistance.  The move is likely to intensify debate in Congress, where some legislators remain deeply divided over the U.S. role in the ongoing conflict.

As The Wall Street Journal report pointed out, the decision to resume weapons shipments comes at a critical juncture, with the war in Gaza showing no clear resolution. Whether congressional opposition will be able to delay or halt these transfers remains uncertain. However, the Trump administration’s firm stance suggests that, for now, U.S. military aid to Israel will continue unimpeded, despite mounting international and domestic scrutiny.

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