By Mike Stone and Kanishka Singh
(Reuters) – President Joe Biden’s administration has notified Congress of a proposed $8 billion arms sale to Israel, a U.S. official said on Friday, as Washington maintains its support for its ally whose war in Gaza has killed tens of thousands of people.
The deal would require approval from the House of Representatives and Senate committees and would include ammunition for fighter jets and attack helicopters as well as artillery shells, Axios reported earlier. The package also includes small-diameter bombs and warheads, according to Axios.
The State Department did not respond to a request for comment.
Protesters have been calling for an arms embargo against Israel for months, but U.S. policy has remained largely unchanged. In August, the United States approved the sale of fighter jets and other military equipment to Israel for $20 billion.
The Biden administration says it is helping its ally defend against Iranian-backed militant groups like Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen.
Facing international criticism, Washington stood with Israel during its attack on Gaza, which displaced almost all of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents, caused a food crisis and led to accusations of genocide that Israel denies.
Gaza’s health ministry estimates the death toll at more than 45,000 people, with many more likely buried under the rubble.
Diplomatic efforts have so far failed to end Israel’s 15-month-old war in Gaza, which was sparked after an October 7, 2023, attack by Palestinian Hamas militants that killed 1,200 people. and during which around 250 were taken hostage, according to Israeli counts.
Washington, Israel’s biggest ally and arms supplier, has also vetoed U.N. Security Council resolutions on a Gaza ceasefire.
Democrat Biden is due to leave office on January 20, when Republican President-elect Donald Trump succeeds him. Both are staunch supporters of Israel.
