Biden admin looking into sale of fighter jets, more weapons to Israel: Report

The Biden administration is weighing selling Israel new fighter jets, advanced missiles and other weapons, US-based POLITICO reported on Monday.

POLITICO, citing a congressional aide and a person familiar with the move, said the sale is still pending government approval.

However, the Biden administration had already provided information on the potential sale to congressional committees.

The approval would provide up to 50 F-15 fighter jets in a deal expected to be worth more than $18 billion, CNN reported on Monday citing three people familiar with the matter.

Other weapons including 30 AIM-120 advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles are expected to be part of the sale.

This comes after news broke last week that the Biden administration had also approved the transfer of billions of dollars worth of bombs and fighter jets to Israel.

According to the Washington Post, which cited Pentagon and State Department officials, this deal will include almost 2,000 MK84 2,000-pound bombs and another 500 MK82 500-pound bombs.

US officials have publicly criticized the Israeli military for indiscriminately killing Palestinian civilians as it continues its bombardment of Gaza in response to the deadly Oct. 7 Hamas attack. But this has not translated into any policy changes. The US has, however, opposed Israel’s plans for a ground invasion of Rafah.