US government uses emergency authority to provide tank shells to Israel

WASHINGTON - The Biden administration has used an emergency authority to allow the sale of about 14,000 tank shells to Israel without congressional review, the Pentagon said on Dec 9.

The State Department on Dec 8 used an Arms Export Control Act emergency declaration for the tank rounds worth US$106.5 million (S$140 million) for immediate delivery to Israel, the Pentagon said in a statement.

The shells are part of a bigger sale that was first reported by Reuters on Dec 8 that the Biden administration is asking the United States Congress to approve.

The larger package is worth more than US$500 million and comprises 45,000 shells for Israel’s Merkava tanks, regularly deployed in its offensive in Gaza, which has

killed thousands of civilians.

As

the war intensified,

how and where exactly the US weapons are used in the conflict has come under more scrutiny, even though US officials say there are no plans to put conditions on military aid to Israel or to consider withholding some of it.

Rights advocates expressed concern over the sale, saying it does not align with Washington’s effort to press Israel to minimise civilian casualties.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken determined and provided detailed justification to Congress that the tank shells must immediately be provided to Israel in the national security interests of the US, according to the Pentagon statement.

The sale will be from US Army inventory and consist of 120mm M830A1 High Explosive Anti-Tank Multi-Purpose with Tracer tank cartridges and related equipment.

“Israel will use the enhanced capability as a deterrent to regional threats and to strengthen its homeland defence,” the Pentagon said, adding that there will be no adverse impact on US defence readiness as a result of the sale. REUTERS