Biden agrees to sell weapons worth $680 million to Israel after the settlement with Lebanon

In a move that comes a few hours after the cease-fire agreement between Israel and Lebanon came into effect, US President Biden agreed to sell precision weapons to Israel worth $680 million. The deal includes JDAM weapons and small diameter bombs.

US President Joe Biden approved a $680 million arms sale to Israel, a shipment of precision weapons that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cited as one of the reasons Israel agreed to a cease-fire deal with Lebanon.

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This came in line with what the Financial Times reported on Wednesday, which reported that American officials recently notified Congress of a plan to provide Israel with an additional shipment of weapons systems known as JDAM.

“JDAM” systems, or “Joint Direct Attack Munitions”, are a package of multiple guidance devices that are installed on unguided bombs, known as “dumb bombs”, making them guided – that is , smart war machines capable of hitting their targets. accurately

The newspaper also pointed out that officials in the Biden administration notified Congress that Washington intended to supply small-diameter bombs to Israel as well. The newspaper pointed out that the publication of such a contract, which could be against transporters, usually comes before the final publication of the agreement.

While Biden’s approval for the shipment is not final, it comes hours after the cease-fire agreement between Israel and Lebanon came into force, which reflects an undisclosed American-Israeli understanding on the part of -within the framework of the agreement regarding Lebanon, noting that Netanyahu had said that the restrictions were on him. supplies… Arms were among the things Israel was considering when they agreed to a ceasefire.

When he announced that Israel accepted the agreement, yesterday, Tuesday, Netanyahu said that he aims to focus on the “Iranian threat,” “reactivating forces” and overcoming restrictions imposed on the supply of weapons to Israel. Finally, “separating the Gaza front from the Lebanese front” and “isolating” Hamas.

Netanyahu said: “It is no secret that there are significant delays in the supply of weapons and ammunition, and that these delays will be addressed soon, which will contribute to the preservation of ​​​​​​give us the strength necessary to accomplish our mission. .” Indicates that the agreement with Lebanon could lead to the lifting of American restrictions on the supply of arms to Israel.

American officials denied that there was a direct link between the cease-fire agreement and arms shipments to Israel. Some familiar with the “American Guarantees” document for Israel within the settlement framework pointed out that the document includes Washington’s support for Israel’s “operational freedom” against violations, but does not give a -enter commitment to sell weapons, while observers pointed out that the lifting of barriers to the supply of weapons could be part of an unpublished American-Israeli understanding.