The Biden administration has informed Congress that it plans to transfer $1 billion in weapons to Israel, a congressional aide confirmed to CBS News on Tuesday.
Congress will have to approve the transfer. The Wall Street Journal was the first to report the news.
The measure comes days after the US blocked the shipment of certain ammunition to Israel and President Biden said in an interview with CNN that the US would further restrict arms supplies if Israel expanded its ground offensive into civilian population centers in the southern Gaza city of Rafah.
“We will continue to send military assistance, and we will ensure that Israel receives the full amount provided in the additional amount,” National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said Monday, referring to a recently signed financing package that includes about $14 billion for Israel's defense .
Last month, Congress passed a $95 billion foreign aid bill which provides military aid to Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan.
The House of Representatives is also poised to vote this week on a measure that would require the State Department and Defense Department to make the “immediate delivery” of military equipment. The White House has vowed to veto the legislation, although the bill is unlikely to pass the Senate.
— Arden Farhi contributed to this report.
