In a significant development, the Biden administration is exploring the possibility of leveraging arms sales to Israel as a means to influence Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government. The aim is to address longstanding U.S. concerns regarding Israel’s military operations in the Gaza Strip.
Under the direction of the White House, the Pentagon is currently reviewing Israel’s requests for weaponry that could potentially serve as leverage in negotiations. While no firm decisions have been made yet, Israeli officials continue to seek additional arms from the U.S., including aerial bombs, ammunition, and air defense systems.
Despite previous attempts by the administration to encourage Israel to scale back its military activities in Gaza, recent discussions suggest that the U.S. is considering slowing or pausing arms deliveries as a way to motivate Israeli action. This includes the possibility of withholding specific offensive military equipment.
Additionally, there have been deliberations within the administration about offering Israel more weaponry as an incentive to align with U.S. objectives. This shift in approach comes after weeks of unsuccessful attempts to persuade Israeli officials to change their tactics in Gaza and minimize civilian casualties.
While some Democratic lawmakers have called for increased pressure on Israel, House Republicans have introduced articles of impeachment against DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. The National Security Council has reiterated the administration’s stance, emphasizing Israel’s right to self-defense while advocating for the protection of civilian lives.
Despite frustrations within the Biden administration over Israel’s handling of the situation, President Biden remains committed to working with Israeli authorities to achieve a reduction in military activity in Gaza. However, challenges persist as Israeli officials have yet to fully comply with U.S. requests.
Overall, the administration is seeking to use diplomatic means, including arms sales, to influence Israeli policy in Gaza and address humanitarian concerns in the region.