Biden Administration Requests Massive Aid Package for Israel

A U.S. government official in Washington told "Sky News Arabia" that President Joe Biden's administration will ask Congress to approve a military and financial aid package for Israel amounting to $1.2 billion. The official, who requested anonymity, stated that this aid will primarily be allocated to financing a new phase in the development of the Iron Dome missile defense system, which, according to Washington's assessment, has successfully intercepted about 80% of the inaccurate tactical missiles launched from the Gaza Strip toward Israel. This move will be added to the annual American aid to Israel, estimated at about $3.8 billion, based on the budgets of the past two years. These remarks come at a time when Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz and a high-ranking military delegation from the Israel Defense Forces are visiting Washington, where they will meet with Secretary of State Antony Blinken and hold discussions with Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and military chiefs. Senior leaders in the Senate, including Senators Lindsey Graham and Ted Cruz among others, have recently urged the Biden administration to expedite the provision of urgent military and financial aid to Israel.