US approves military sales worth $7.4 billion to Israel

The US State Department has approved the potential sales of missiles, munitions and other equipment to Israel for an estimated total of about $7.4 billion, the Pentagon said on Friday.

The Pentagon announced a $6.75 billion package of munitions, guidance kits, fuzes and munitions support and related equipment that included the principal contractor Boeing among others.

It separately announced a $660 million deal to sell Hellfire Missiles and equipment in which Lockheed Martin would be the principal contractor.

Former US President Joe Biden’s administration had notified Congress of a proposed $8 billion arms sale to Israel in January, two US officials said at the time, ahead of Republican Donald Trump taking office on Jan. 20.

Trump has pledged to back Israel and, in a surprise announcement earlier this week, said that he expected Gaza to be taken over by the United States.

On Friday, the Pentagon said the State Department had approved a package worth an estimated $6.75 billion that included munitions, guidance kits and fuses with Boeing among the principal contractors.

Arms sales need approval from House of Representatives and Senate committees.