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The deal, which would constitute one of the largest U. S. arms sales to Israel in years, awaits congressional approval amid growing complaints about the Gaza war.
By Michael Crowley and Edward Wong
Report from Washington
Biden’s leadership is pushing Congress to approve a proposed sale of $18 billion worth of F-15 fighter jets to Israel, as President Biden resists calls to restrict U. S. arms sales to Israel over its military offensive in Gaza.
The State Department recently sent an informal notice to two congressional committees to initiate a legislative review procedure for the order, a first step toward officially authorizing the branch to move up to 50 planes.
The F-15 order was previously reported via Politico and CNN and shown through two U. S. officials. The deal, which would be one of the largest U. S. arms sales to Israel in years, would also include ammunition, education and other support.
Although the U. S. has sent some weapons for Israel’s ongoing crusade against Hamas, the F-15s will be delivered for at least five years, U. S. officials said.
With a top speed of approximately 2,000 miles per hour, the F-15 is capable of air-to-air combat and bombing ground targets. While Israel has used the F-15s it already possesses to attack Gaza, its request because the jets appear to reflect a long-term fear of regional threats, adding to those from Lebanon-based Hezbollah, Iranian-backed militias in Syria and Iran itself. Most likely, the IDF would employ F-15s in any possible attack on Iran’s nuclear plant. program.
Israeli officials also told their U. S. counterparts that Israel is close to placing a new order for F-35 jets, a U. S. official said.
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