Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Trump: Technical teams will meet again on Monday in Egypt to discuss and clarify the final details, and the first phase is scheduled to be completed this week
US President Donald Trump: Talks with Hamas have been very successful and are moving at a rapid pace
Local sources in Aleppo: Violent clashes erupt between the SDF and factions affiliated with the transitional authority on the Deir Hafer and Tishrin Dam fronts in the eastern Aleppo countryside
Israeli media: Interceptor missiles fired in an attempt to shoot down the drone
IOF Spokesperson: Sirens sounded amid suspected "enemy aircraft" infiltrating the Eilat area
Israeli media: "Israel" won the battle but lost the war strategically and politically
Israeli media: Ben Gurion Airport's airspace closed to air traffic following missile launch from Yemen
Israeli media: Echoes of several explosions heard in central occupied territories
United States: A federal judge temporarily blocks President Donald Trump from deploying 200 Oregon National Guard troops to Portland
Syria: Local sources for Al-Mayadeen: An IOF patrol consisting of 4 vehicles entered the village of Suissa in the southern countryside of Quneitra

Democrats approve $18 Billion arms sale to 'Israel' including 50 F-15s

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Washington Post + Al Mayadeen
  • 18 Jun 2024 04:43
  • 2 Shares
3 Min Read

Key Democrats and Republicans in the US have approved a significant $18 billion arms sale to Israel, reflecting strong bipartisan support for continued military support to Tel Aviv despite the genocide in the Gaza Strip.

Listen
  • x
  • An IOF air force F-15 fly in the air in Hatzerim air force base, near the Gaza Strip, occupied Palestine, Thursday, June 24, 2021. (AP)
    An IOF Air Force F-15 flies in the air in Hatzerim air force base, near the Gaza Strip, occupied Palestine, Thursday, June 24, 2021. (AP)

Two key Democratic holdouts, Rep. Gregory W. Meeks and Sen. Ben Cardin, have approved a major arms sale to "Israel"  according to a report by The Washington Post.

The newly approved package would include 50 F-15 fighter jets worth over $18 billion, The Washington Post reported citing three US officials who chose to remain anonymous.

Significantly, the decision has not been previously reported. This underscored Washington's strong support for "Israel" despite alleged concerns from younger Congress members about using US leverage to "reduce the intensity of the war and allow more humanitarian aid into Gaza."

In the case of the F-15 and munitions package, the two top Republicans on the committees, Sen. James E. Risch of Idaho and Rep. Michael McCaul of Texas, had signed off on the sale months ago The Washington Post reported.

Regarding the funding, it is important to note that the report stressed that the weaponry, often paid for over many years, is "largely financed by the more than $3.3 billion in US taxpayer funds Washington provides Israel every year."

Meeks, after months of holding up the sale, emphasized the importance of humanitarian efforts and limiting civilian casualties. Both Meeks and Cardin, who can effectively veto foreign military sales, have now signed off, allowing the State Department to proceed with notifying Congress.

Related News

Trump marks Navy’s 250th anniversary despite US shutdown

Two dead, 12 hurt in downtown Montgomery, Alabama shootout

This decision reflects bipartisan support for US military aid to "Israel", though it faces criticism from activists concerned about the humanitarian impact in the Gaza Strip.

F-15EX to prove essential for long-range attacks

The deal for the 50 US-made F-15 fighter jets has been in the works since April this year and is expected to heavily bolster the Israeli Air Force's long-range offensive capabilities.

The occupation already owns and operates at least 86 F-15 fighter jets, however, the units that will be acquired are unique, as they maintain the F-15's air superiority qualities while affording operators an effective option for long-range attacks. 

Historically, the F-15 has been quintessential for achieving Israeli air superiority in the region. The EX version of the fighter jet maintains its air defense qualities while providing a great option for firing large stand-off weapons, such as short-range ballistic missiles. 

Currently, the US only produces the EX version of the F-15, which "Israel" has been pursuing since January 2023. 

The option to haul relatively long-range ballistic missiles and cruise missiles on the F-15EX would largely improve and bolster the occupation's ability to carry out long-range attacks on enemies, which is in part why the approval of the sale had been halted. 

Read more: Biden is ‘running out of time’ with young voters over Gaza war

  • United States
  • Gaza Strip
  • Palestine
  • Israel
  • Arms sale
  • US weapons
War on Gaza

War on Gaza

Most Read

Hamas fighters stand in formation ahead of a ceremony to hand over Israeli captives to the Red Cross in Nuseirat, Gaza Strip, Feb. 22, 2025. (AP)

Hamas reviews Trump’s Gaza ceasefire plan as PIJ rejects

  • Palestine
  • 30 Sep 2025
Iraq at a crossroads: A new war front?

Iraq at a crossroads: A new war front?

  • West Asia
  • 30 Sep 2025
A Hamas fighter in combat fatigues stands before the ceremony for the handover of Israeli captives to the Red Cross in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, Saturday, February 22, 2025 (AP)

Hamas responds to Trump plan, backs Gaza withdrawal, exchange

  • Politics
  • 3 Oct 2025
Tucker Carlson speaks at a memorial for Charlie Kirk, Sunday, September 21, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona (AP)

Tucker Carlson: Israeli officers gave orders on Iran inside Pentagon

  • Politics
  • 2 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
French far-left leader Jean-Luc Melenchon, listens to France Unbowed party parliament member Mathilde Panot during a demonstration after a Gaza-bound aid flotilla was illegally raided by the IOF, Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025 in Paris (AP)
Politics

French MPs on hunger strike after their detainment in 'Israel'

Gaza residents fear trap as Trump’s plan offers little relief
Politics

Flying promises and bombs: Gazans hopeful, yet deeply distrustful

Two years of destruction: Gaza endures war, famine, and displacement
Politics

UNRWA details Gaza's two years under war, famine, and displacement

In this photo provided by the North Korean government, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, center, visits a military hardware exhibition in Pyongyang, Notrh Korea Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025 (AP)
Politics

DPRK's Kim unveils new advanced weapons at 'Defiance Development 2025'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS