U.S. government uses emergency authority to provide tank shells to Israel

The Pentagon announced Saturday that the Biden administration had used emergency powers to authorize the sale of about 14,000 tank shells to Israel without Congressional review.

The Pentagon said in a statement that on Friday, the State Department applied an Arms Export Control Act emergency declaration to $106.5 million worth of tank munitions for immediate delivery to Israel.

The shells are part of a major sale first reported by Reuters.

On Friday, the Biden administration announced it would seek approval from the U.S. Congress. The larger package is worth more than $500 million and consists of 45,000 shells for Israeli Merkava tanks, which are regularly deployed in attacks on Gaza that have killed thousands of civilians.

As the war escalates, U.S. weapons are increasing, even though U.S. officials have said they have no plans to put conditions on military aid to Israel or consider withholding some of it. Exactly where and how it is used in conflict has come under greater scrutiny.

Advocacy groups expressed concern about the sale, saying it was inconsistent with U.S. government efforts to pressure Israel to minimize civilian casualties.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken has determined that U.S. national security interests require the immediate provision of tank shells to Israel and has provided a detailed justification to Congress, according to a Pentagon statement. .

The sale is made from U.S. military inventory and consists of the 120mm M830A1 High-Explosive Anti-Tank Multipurpose Shrapnel (MPAT) cartridge and related equipment.

“Israel will use the enhanced capabilities as a deterrent against regional threats and to strengthen its homeland defenses,” the Pentagon said, adding that there would be no adverse impact on U.S. defense preparedness as a result of the sale. .