Ian Patrick, FISM News
The United States has authorized a $735 million sale in weapons to Israel on Monday. This news comes as the conflict between Palestine and Israel continues to escalate and after Israel killed Hussam Abu Harbeed, the Islamic Jihad’s armed commander for north Gaza.
As reported by The Jerusalem Post and The Washington Post, the sale focuses on “accurate missiles and special munition capabilities” such as “Joint Direct Attack Munitions, or JDAMS, kits that transform so-called ‘dumb’ bombs into precision-guided missiles.” Congress was apparently made aware of the transaction before Palestinian rockets initially launched into Israel, starting the deadly conflict.
The Biden Administration recently stated that they are looking for peace between the two nations through “diplomacy, dialogue, and de-escalation” while floating a long-term “two-state” solution for Israel and Palestine. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has been repeatedly calling for de-escalation from both sides, reaching out to multiple nations surrounding Israel and the West Bank.
Had an important conversation today with Saudi Foreign Minister @FaisalbinFarhan about the need to calm tensions in Israel and the West Bank and Gaza. We agreed we must continue our ongoing outreach to halt the current violence and lamentable loss of life from the crisis.
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) May 16, 2021
Spoke with Qatar's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs @MBA_AlThani_ about the urgent work to halt the conflict gripping in Israel and the West Bank and Gaza. The loss of life from the crisis is deeply saddening.
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) May 16, 2021
Spoke today with Egyptian Foreign Minister Shoukry to discuss the ongoing violence in Israel, West Bank, and Gaza. All parties need to deescalate tensions – the violence must end immediately.
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) May 16, 2021