WASHINGTON DC, UNITED STATES – AUGUST 15 : The Pentagon logo is seen before a press conference at the Pentagon in Washington DC, United States on August 15, 2023. (Photo by Celal Gunes/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
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The Biden administration used emergency authority to allow the sale of about 14,000 tank shells to Israel without congressional review, the Pentagon said Saturday.
The State Department on Friday used an Arms Export Control Act emergency declaration for tank rounds valued at $106.5 million for immediate delivery to Israel, the Pentagon said in a statement.
The shells are part of a larger sale first reported by Reuters
on Friday that the Biden administration is asking the US Congress to approve. The larger package is worth more than $500 million and consists of 45,000 shells for Israel’s Merkava tanks, regularly deployed in its Gaza offensive, which has killed thousands of civilians.
As the war escalates, how and where exactly US weapons are used in the conflict has come under greater scrutiny, though US officials say there are no plans to place conditions on military aid to Israel or consider holding back some these.
Rights advocates have expressed concern over the sale, saying it is inconsistent with Washington’s efforts to pressure Israel to reduce civilian casualties.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has determined and provided detailed justification to Congress that tank shells should be immediately provided to Israel in the national security interests of the United States, according to the Pentagon statement.
The sale is from US Army inventory and consists of 120mm M830A1 High Explosive Anti-Tank Multi-Purpose with Tracer (MPAT) tank cartridges and related equipment.
“Israel will use the enhanced capability as a deterrent to regional threats and to strengthen homeland defense,” the Pentagon said, adding that there would be no adverse impact on US defense readiness as a result of the sale.
