Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
The Trump administration has quietly notified Congress of plans to sell nearly $6 billion in advanced weaponry to Israel, a significant move signaling deepening military support for the embattled U.S. ally as it faces growing international isolation over its ongoing war in Gaza.
According to U.S. officials familiar with the matter, the proposed arms package includes approximately $3.8 billion for 30 AH-64 Apache attack helicopters almost doubling Israel’s existing fleet and an additional $1.9 billion for 3,200 infantry assault vehicles to bolster the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). These weapons, however, would not be delivered immediately and are expected to arrive over the course of two to three years or more.
The State Department has declined to comment on the pending sales, which were first reported by The Wall Street Journal. Congressional sources say the proposal was sent to Capitol Hill nearly a month ago and is currently undergoing the traditional informal review process before any formal notifications are made public.
The sizable arms deal comes at a sensitive diplomatic moment. The nearly two-year-long conflict between Israel and Hamas has taken a devastating toll on civilian populations in Gaza, and efforts by the U.S. to mediate a ceasefire have faltered. Israel’s recent strike on Hamas leadership in Doha, Qatar a rare operation on foreign soil, triggered sharp condemnation across the Middle East, including from longstanding American allies.
Mounting Global Pressure on Israel
Despite intensifying scrutiny of Israel’s conduct in Gaza, the Trump administration has doubled down on its military assistance. In total, Washington has approved over $12 billion in weapons transfers to Israel in 2025 alone. Just this past June, the administration authorized a separate $500 million sale of bomb guidance kits to resupply Israel’s precision strike capabilities.
The move also follows a broader trend of distancing by key international players. The United Kingdom has suspended exports of certain weapons to Israel, citing concerns over potential violations of international humanitarian law. Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned Israel’s campaign in Gaza as “disproportionate,” and Turkey has banned Israeli government planes and arms shipments from using its airspace.
The United Nations and international human rights organizations have also intensified their scrutiny. A leading academic body specializing in genocide studies recently accused Israel of committing acts of genocide in Gaza, a charge Israel strongly denies.
The sale’s timing is particularly controversial, as Trump reversed an earlier Biden administration decision to pause a shipment of 2,000-pound bombs over concerns about civilian casualties in Gaza. Trump, who returned to office in January, has since accelerated U.S. arms deliveries to Israel.
Geopolitical Fallout and Regional Dynamics
The announcement comes just days before Trump is expected to host Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Washington. The two leaders are expected to discuss bilateral defense trade, including a deal for Boeing aircraft and a possible agreement involving F-16 fighter jets.
The tension between support for Israel and maintaining relations with other key regional players has become more acute. Egypt, Jordan, and several Gulf countries have voiced alarm over Israel’s Gaza offensive, while also participating in parallel diplomatic initiatives led by Trump to establish a framework for a post-war settlement.
Trump’s administration is also overseeing the final years of a 10-year military aid agreement between the U.S. and Israel, which provided an annual average of $3.8 billion in assistance. The new proposed sales are seen as part of a broader push to secure long-term U.S. defense cooperation with Israel before the agreement expires.
Congressional Resistance Grows
Within the U.S., the arms deal has already sparked pushback from Democratic lawmakers, many of whom have called for greater restrictions on offensive weapons sales to Israel. Several senators are reportedly working behind the scenes to block or delay certain parts of the new package, particularly those that could be used in densely populated urban areas in Gaza.
Nevertheless, with Republican majorities in both chambers and unified support from the Trump White House, the proposed sale is expected to proceed barring significant bipartisan resistance or public outcry.
As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens and Israel pushes forward with a renewed offensive toward Gaza City, the latest arms sale is likely to further polarize opinion both in Washington and among the international community.
