 "President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shake hands at The Israel Museum in Jerusalem on May 23, 2017. AP File")
The United States has approved the sale of more than $7.4 billion in military assets, including bombs and missiles to Israel on Saturday.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said in a statement that the State Department has signed off on the sale of $6.75 billion in bombs, guidance kits, and fuses, in addition to $660 million in Hellfire missiles.
The proposed sale of the bombs “improves Israel’s capability to meet current and future threats, strengthens its homeland defense, and serves as a deterrent to regional threats,” DSCA said in a statement.
Israel has long used American-made weapons to devastating effect during the war in Gaza.
The agency emphasised that the missile sale would improve Israel’s strength in meeting current and future threats by enhancing the ability of the Israeli Air Force to defend its borders, vital infrastructure, and population centers.
War after Hamas’ October 7 attack
Israel launched a massive campaign against Gaza after Hamas’s surprise attack on October 7. This assault involved rocket fire and ground incursions by Hamas fighters, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 Israeli civilians and the abduction of over 250 individuals.
A fragile ceasefire
After an intense 15-month fight in Gaza, a fragile ceasefire was achieved with the mediation of Qatar, the US, and Egypt.
This truce, which began on January 19, facilitated the exchange of hostages held by Hamas for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli custody.
After the release of hostages, Israel allowed Palestinians to return to their homes in the northern part of Gaza.
Approximately 90 per cent of Gaza’s population was displaced during Israel’s assault, and a massive humanitarian crisis emerged in the region.
US President Donald Trump has recently said that the US should take control of Gaza and transform it into a “Riviera of the Middle East.”
He proposes relocating a substantial portion of Gaza’s Palestinian population to neighboring countries such as Egypt and Jordan.