Biden administration plans $1bn arms shipment to Israel

The Biden administration has informed Congress of its plans to send more than $1 billion in weapons to Israel. This proposed package includes tank rounds, mortars, and armored tactical vehicles. The plan, which has been confirmed by a congressional aide to CBS, still requires approval from lawmakers. President Joe Biden had previously stated that he would halt weapons shipments to Israel if it launched a major invasion of the Gaza city of Rafah. However, Israeli tanks have reportedly advanced deeper into residential areas of south-eastern Rafah, according to Palestinians. The delay in the shipment of 2,000lb bombs to Israel was due to concerns about how they might be used in a ground operation. President Biden expressed his concerns about the civilian casualties in Gaza as a result of those bombs. This new package being sent to Congress is the first since the Biden administration paused arms transfers to Israel. It would include $700 million in tank ammunition, $500 million in tactical vehicles, and $60 million in mortar rounds, according to the Associated Press news agency.