US skips congressional review to approve sale of artillery projectiles to Israel
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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has approved the sale to Israel of 155mm artillery shells and related equipment without congressional review
PHOTO: REUTERS
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WASHINGTON – US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has approved the sale to Israel of 155mm artillery shells and related equipment without congressional review, the Pentagon said on Dec 29.
Mr Blinken determined that an emergency exists that requires the immediate sale to Israel, thereby waiving congressional review requirements, according to the Pentagon.
The sale comes as Israel intensifies its offensive in the Gaza Strip.
The United States has pressed Israel to minimise civilian casualties in Gaza and has called for it to scale down the war in coming weeks.
The Pentagon said Israel has requested that fuses, primers and charges be included in a previous request for 155mm shells. The estimated total value of the sale is US$147.5 million (S$195 million).
This is the second time in December the Biden administration has skipped congressional review of a weapons sale
On Dec 9, the administration used the emergency authority to allow the sale of about 14,000 tank shells to Israel. REUTERS
