The Trump administration is now reportedly seeking congressional approval to sell nearly $6 billion in advanced weaponry to Israel, a move that underscores the president’s commitment to America’s closest ally in the Middle East even as the conflict in Gaza intensifies.
The request comes in the wake of Israel’s controversial missile strike on Hamas leaders in Qatar and its ongoing ground offensive in Gaza City, both of which drew condemnation from European governments and regional partners.
The proposed sales include a $3.8 billion deal for 30 AH-64 Apache helicopters, which would nearly double Israel’s current fleet, and a $1.9 billion purchase of 3,250 infantry assault vehicles, according to documents reviewed by The Wall Street Journal and sources familiar with the request.
U.S.-provided foreign military financing would cover the purchases, a reminder that American taxpayer dollars underwrite the majority of Israel’s arsenal.
“These systems are essential for Israel to defend itself and to maintain deterrence against Hamas and other threats in the region,” said Seth Binder, advocacy director at the Middle East Democracy Center and an expert on U.S. foreign weapons sales. “This says all systems go.”
The administration first submitted the proposed arms sales to congressional leaders about a month ago, prior to the Sept. 9 strike on Hamas leaders in Qatar, a Gulf ally that hosts the largest American military presence in the region.
Despite the diplomatic fallout from that attack, the State Department has continued to seek approval from the top Republican and Democratic leaders of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, who typically sign off on major foreign arms transfers before wider congressional notification.
President Trump expressed concern over the Qatari strike and moved quickly to reassure the Gulf ally. He hosted Qatar’s prime minister for dinner and assured him that no further attacks would occur.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio subsequently visited Qatar following a trip to Israel. During a joint press conference with Rubio, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended Israel’s right to strike Hamas leaders wherever they are located, and Rubio did not challenge the assertion.
The broader U.S. policy under Trump has consistently reinforced Israel’s military capacity. The Biden administration also expanded weapons transfers to Israel in response to Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023, attacks, which killed roughly 1,200 Israelis and left 251 hostages in Gaza.
The ongoing war has resulted in more than 65,000 deaths in Gaza and significant humanitarian distress, but the administration has prioritized Israel’s right to self-defense.
The Trump team has actively moved to correct perceived hesitations in U.S. policy. Last year, former president Biden withheld shipments of 2,000-pound and 500-pound bombs during a dispute with Israel over its planned Rafah offensive.
After taking office, Trump lifted the hold on the 2,000-pound bombs and, in February, used an emergency rule to send additional munitions, ensuring that Israel could maintain operational readiness.
The current $6 billion package, with deliveries expected in two to three years, signals a continuation of that approach: a robust and unfaltering commitment to Israel’s security, even amid regional criticism.
In the view of the administration and its conservative supporters, bolstering Israel’s military strength is both a strategic imperative and a demonstration of America’s unwavering alliance in the face of terrorism.
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