The White House is reportedly weighing whether to fast-track thousands of munitions under emergency powers
US President Joe Biden is quietly urging lawmakers to approve the sale of 45,000 tank shells to Israel, Reuters reported, noting that the deal is facing scrutiny amid growing concerns about civilian casualties in Gaza.
Worth over $500 million, the potential sale would restock Israel’s arsenal of 120-millimeter shells, which are used by its Merkava main battle tank, four unnamed sources told the outlet on Friday. Congress must authorize the transfer before it proceeds, but some lawmakers remain skeptical.
“This went to committees earlier this week and they are supposed to have 20 days to review Israel cases. [The State Department] is pushing them to clear [the sale] now,” said Josh Paul, a former State Department official who resigned in October to protest Washington’s “blind support” for Israel.
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