The Pentagon announced on Saturday that the Biden administration invoked emergency authority to authorize the sale of approximately 14,000 tank shells to Israel, valued at $106.5 million, without the need for congressional review.
The State Department employed an emergency declaration under the Arms Export Control Act, citing the urgency for immediate delivery. This comes as part of a larger arms sale package exceeding $500 million, encompassing 45,000 shells for Israel’s Merkava tanks, commonly used in its operations in Gaza, where civilian casualties have been substantial.
Although the Biden administration is seeking congressional approval for the comprehensive arms deal, the emergency provision allowed for the rapid dispatch of tank rounds. The decision has drawn criticism from rights advocates who argue that it contradicts Washington’s purported efforts to urge Israel to minimize civilian harm. U.S. officials assert that there are no plans to impose conditions on military aid to Israel or consider withholding it.
A State Department official emphasized Washington’s ongoing communication with Israel, stressing the necessity for compliance with international humanitarian law and measures to prevent harm to civilians. The proposed sale is presented as a demonstration of the U.S. commitment to Israel’s security and the enhancement of its defensive capabilities.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken provided detailed justification to Congress, asserting that the immediate provision of tank shells to Israel is in the national security interests of the United States. The sale, sourced from the U.S. Army inventory, includes 120mm M830A1 High Explosive Anti-Tank Multi-Purpose with Tracer (MPAT) tank cartridges and related equipment.
The Pentagon assured that the sale would not adversely impact U.S. defense readiness, emphasizing that Israel would employ the enhanced capability as a deterrent to regional threats and to bolster its homeland defense. Notably, Israel’s use of Merkava tanks, which deploy 120mm shells, has been linked to incidents resulting in the death of journalists, as revealed in a recent Reuters investigation.
