US govt uses emergency authority to provide 14,000 tank shells to Israel

The Pentagon announced on Saturday that the Biden administration invoked emergency authority to permit the sale of approximately 14,000 tank shells to Israel without congressional review.

The State Department employed an emergency declaration under the Arms Export Control Act on Friday to facilitate the immediate delivery of tank rounds valued at $106.5 million to Israel, according to a Pentagon statement.

The larger package, exceeding $500 million, encompasses 45,000 shells designed for Israel’s Merkava tanks, frequently deployed in offensive actions in Gaza, resulting in a significant number of civilian casualties.

As the conflict escalates, there is increased scrutiny on the utilisation of US weapons in the region.

Despite assurances from US officials that there are no intentions to impose conditions on military aid to Israel or consider withholding it, human rights advocates have expressed apprehension about the sale, asserting that it contradicts Washington’s goal of urging Israel to minimize civilian casualties.

A State Department official said on Saturday that Washington continues to emphasize to the Israeli government the importance of complying with international humanitarian law and taking all feasible measures to prevent harm to civilians.

The proposed sale is framed as a demonstration of the US commitment to Israel’s security, aiming to enhance its defensive capabilities.

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 United States, according to the Pentagon statement.

The sale, drawn from the US Army inventory, comprises 120mm M830A1 High Explosive Anti-Tank Multi-Purpose with Tracer (MPAT) tank cartridges and related equipment.

With inputs from Reuters

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