President Joe Biden speaks on the terrorist attacks in Israel alongside Secretary of State Antony Blinken from the State Dining Room at the White House on October 7, 2023 in Washington, DC.
The Biden Administration is now surging weapons to Israel as the conflict in the Middle East worsens. A senior Pentagon official confirmed the news on Monday, October 9.
The defense leader said that the US government already sent planes carrying munitions to the Middle Eastern country. Aside from this, the United States is also sending out air defenses to Israel.
Biden Admin Surges Weapons to Israel
Politico reported that the US government answered the urgent requests of Israeli officials, asking for military aid from the Biden Administration.
"Planes have already taken off," said the senior Pentagon official, who could share sensitive information since the government granted him anonymity.
Fox News reported that the warfare weapons aid sent by the US government was announced after 11 American citizens were reportedly killed in the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.
But, US Army Secretary Christine Wormuth said that if the US wants to ensure that Israel and Ukraine receive the munitions and other weapons they need, Congress must pass more funding.
"The intent is to lean forward in support of Israel. But in particular with munitions and the ability to support Israel and Ukraine simultaneously, additional funding is needed," she explained.
Wormuth added that this is essential if the US wants to increase its capacity to expand weapons production and pay for the munitions sent to Israel and Ukraine.
However, Christine clarified that the Biden Administration is still in the early stages of analyzing whether the US can provide what the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) needs.
US DOD Making Efforts to Help Israel
Protesters block a road and hold national flags as they gather around a bonfire during a rally against the Israeli government's judicial reform in Tel Aviv, Israel on March 27, 2023. - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on March 26, 2023 fired Defence Minister Yoav Galant.
The US Department of Defense (DOD) works across its enterprise, such as the US Central Command. The defense department is trying to determine the weapons in the US inventory that can be made available to Israel as soon as possible.
The senior Pentagon official said that DOD leaders are in constant, ongoing contact with their Israeli counterparts to identify what the Middle Eastern country needs as the war worsens.
As of writing, the Pentagon said they are not asking Congress for additional aid for Israel. Instead, they are utilizing their existing funds and getting help from authorities to send military assistance to the IDF.
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