The Biden administration in recent days quietly authorized the transfer of billions of dollars in bombs and fighter jets to Israel despite Washington’s concerns about an anticipated military offensive in southern Gaza that could threaten the lives of hundreds of thousands of Palestinian civilians.

The new arms packages include more than 1,800 MK84 2,000-pound bombs and 500 MK82 500-pound bombs, according to Pentagon and State Department officials familiar with the matter. The 2,000 pound bombs have been linked to previous mass-casualty events throughout Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. These officials, like some others, spoke to The Washington Post on the condition of anonymity because recent authorizations have not been disclosed publicly.

The 2,000 pound bombs, capable of leveling city blocks and leaving craters in the earth 40 feet across and larger, are almost never used anymore by Western militaries in densely populated locations due to the risk of civilian casualties.

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    • livus
      23•8 months ago

      He’s now walked back those sanctions because Israel threatened to financially punish Palestinians in retaliation.

      • @MrVilliamEnglish
        14•8 months ago

        Threatening collective punishment to sway political action? That sounds an awful lot like a two-fer. An exquisite entree of genocide paired with a lovely glass of terrorism.

        The America that Americans are taught that America is would’ve bombed the everloving fuck out of Israel right now. I truly cannot understand why the fuck we’re still helping Israel right now. I must be a clueless dumb fuck because I see zero upside and a shitload of blowback for this, and I don’t exactly have an Ivy League J.D.

        • livus
          8•8 months ago

          I think there’s a short-term upside (maintaining their hegemony foothold in the middle east, fuelling the arms dealing economy) with a long-term downside (accelerated erosion of US soft power, globally).

          Unfortunately those in power have an “apres moi la deluge” approach.

          • @MrVilliamEnglish
            3•8 months ago

            Of course there’s a French phrase for this lol.

            This is definitely the case. When presidents and congresspeople are in their 70s and older, it’s pretty foolish to believe that they’re trying to leave a decent country to their adult grandchildren. Late stage capitalism will find the breaking point for this strategy in the private sector, hopefully before the public sector finds the line where nukes are flying everywhere.