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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has approved the sale of various military equipment to Israel for a total of more than $20 billion. The package includes F-15 fighter jets, missiles, tank ammunition and tactical vehicles. The Pentagon announced the news on Tuesday. TASR obtains information from Reuters and AFP agencies and the Defense News Portal. According to the news website Axios, Blinken wanted to travel to the Middle East tonight, but he postponed the trip due to the uncertain situation in the region.
August 13, 2024 22:55
photo: TASR/AP, Jacqueline Martin
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after a meeting in Tel Aviv on October 12, 2023.
The supplies will “enhance Israel’s ability to defend against current and future threats,” the State Department said in a statement to Congress.
The largest items in the program are the F-15IA and F-15I+ fighters, valued at nearly $19 billion. Potential sales include the delivery of more than 50 machines to Israel.
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The United States will also provide 120mm tank ammunition with a total value of nearly $775 million. At the same time, Blinken also approved the sale of medium-range air-to-air missiles worth more than $102 million and M1148A1P2 Oshkosh medium and heavy tactical vehicles worth $583 million.
Reuters warned that tank ammunition could be delivered immediately, but the production and delivery of F-15 fighter jets would take years.
The Defense News portal noted that after notifying Congress, a formal control period will begin, during which US lawmakers who are critical of Israel’s offensive in the Gaza Strip can block the sale.
Blinken has postponed his visit to the Middle East. He was scheduled to leave by plane on Tuesday evening. Reuters and The Jerusalem Post reported the news, citing Axios news website. Axios, citing two unnamed sources, reported that the US foreign minister’s visit was postponed due to “uncertainty in the current situation.” Blinken planned to visit Egypt, Israel and Qatar.
Israel and Hamas are scheduled to meet on Thursday. They will discuss finalizing a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and releasing the remaining Israeli hostages. Israel has confirmed its participation in the talks. Hamas has not yet confirmed the news, and Qatari officials are still negotiating with them.
On Tuesday, Hamas fired two rockets at the Israeli capital, Tel Aviv, for the first time in months, while Israel carried out air strikes on the Gaza Strip. On Monday, U.S. officials said they expected Thursday’s talks to go ahead as planned.
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