The Pentagon has announced that leveraging emergency authority, the Biden administration has sanctioned the immediate sale of approximately 14,000 tank shells to Israel, valued at USD 106.5 million, without undergoing congressional review. The State Department invoked an emergency declaration under the Arms Export Control Act on Friday, facilitating the urgent delivery of tank rounds to Israel, as revealed in a Pentagon statement on Saturday.
This allocation of shells is part of a larger sale, initially reported by Reuters on Friday, for which the Biden administration seeks approval from the US Congress. The comprehensive package exceeds USD 500 million and encompasses 45,000 shells intended for Israel's Merkava tanks, frequently employed in offensive actions in Gaza, resulting in the loss of numerous civilian lives.
As the conflict has escalated, there has been increased scrutiny regarding the deployment and usage of US weapons in the conflict zone. Despite this, US officials emphasize that there are currently no intentions to impose conditions on military aid to Israel or consider withholding any part of it.
Human rights advocates have voiced apprehension over the sale, contending that it contradicts Washington's efforts to encourage Israel to minimize civilian casualties. In response, a State Department official emphasized on Saturday that the United States consistently communicates to the Israeli government the imperative to adhere to international humanitarian law and adopt every feasible measure to prevent harm to civilians.
The proposed sale is presented as a testament to the United States' commitment to Israel's security, with an emphasis on enhancing Israel's defensive capabilities, according to the official. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken reportedly furnished Congress with detailed justification, determining that the immediate provision of tank shells to Israel aligns with the national security interests of the United States.
The sale, originating from the US Army inventory, comprises 120mm M830A1 High Explosive Anti-Tank Multi-Purpose with Tracer (MPAT) tank cartridges and associated equipment. The Pentagon assured that the transaction would have no adverse impact on US defense readiness.
Moreover, Israel's Merkava tanks, utilizing 120mm shells, have been linked to incidents resulting in the death of journalists. A Reuters investigation disclosed on Thursday revealed that an Israeli tank crew, firing two shells in quick succession, killed Reuters journalist Issam Abdallah and injured six reporters while they were filming cross-border shelling.
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