Fox News has reported that the Biden administration is withholding a substantial array of military equipment from Israel.
According to the Fox News report, the list of withheld items extends far beyond the previously reported 2,000-pound bombs. It allegedly includes:
- JDAM kits, which convert unguided bombs into precision-guided munitions
- 120mm tank shells for Israel's Merkava tanks
- 120mm artillery shells
- F-15 fighter jets that had been ordered and approved
- Engines for F-35 stealth fighters
- Assault rifles for police and rapid response units
- Semi-heavy vehicles
- Air-to-air missiles for aircraft defense
- Machine gun ammunition
- Missile control systems
The breadth of this list, if confirmed, suggests a strategy that goes beyond the stated goal of minimizing civilian casualties in Gaza. Critics argue that it could potentially hamper Israel's overall military readiness, not just its operations in the current conflict.
The Biden administration has previously justified withholding certain weapons, particularly large bombs, citing concerns about their use in densely populated areas. However, the inclusion of precision-guided munitions and defensive systems in the reported list has raised eyebrows among military analysts.
The timing of this revelation is particularly sensitive, coming amidst ongoing tensions in the region and debates within the U.S. about its role in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Israeli officials have not yet publicly responded to the Fox News report. Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department maintains that America's commitment to Israel's security remains "ironclad," though it declined to comment on specific arms transfers.
