Israel on Wednesday welcomed approval by the U.S. Senate of an aid package that includes $26.4 billion for Israel and for civilians in conflict zones, including Gaza, a vote that came as strains in the allies’ relationship have intensified over Israel’s tactics in its war with Hamas.
Israel Katz, Israel’s foreign minister, said in a statement that the bill’s passage was “a clear testament to the strength of our alliance” that “sends a strong message to our enemies.”
The aid is part of a long-stalled $95.3 billion package that had faced vehement opposition from some Republicans over support for Ukraine, which is also part of the legislation. The Senate’s action on Tuesday, on a vote of 79 to 18, was a victory for President Biden, who was expected to sign the bill into law as soon as Wednesday.
The relationship between the United States and Israel has grown increasingly tense over Israel’s unrelenting military offensive in Gaza, with the death toll there surpassing 34,000, according to the health authorities there.
Israel has stood by plans to invade the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where more than a million displaced people are sheltering, even as the Biden administration has warned that such a move would pose severe risks to civilians.
The United States is by far the biggest supplier of weapons to Israel, and even though the Biden administration has faced growing calls to restrict or stop the arms shipments, it has largely maintained its military support.
The package approved Tuesday would send roughly $15 billion in military aid to Israel and prioritizes defensive capabilities, including more than $5 billion to replenish the Iron Dome, David’s Sling and Iron Beam defense systems. An additional $2.4 billion is directed to U.S. military operations in the Middle East.
Another $9 billion would go to “worldwide humanitarian aid,” including for civilians in Gaza. The package bars any of the funding from going to UNRWA, the main United Nations agency that provides aid to Palestinians in Gaza. The United States suspended its contributions to the agency this year over Israeli allegations that a dozen of its employees had participated in the Hamas-led Oct. 7 attacks on Israel or their aftermath.
But the package does not put any conditions on military aid, a sticking point for some left-wing Democrats who have become more vocal in calling for the Israeli military to modify its tactics to better protect civilians.
Democratic lawmakers who have led the push against U.S. aid to Israel, particularly in the House, have condemned the Oct. 7 attacks and said they strongly support Israel and its right to self-defense, but oppose supplying it with more offensive weapons.
The aid that is getting into Gaza is falling far short of the needs of its desperate population. Countries including the United States have tried to find air and sea routes to get more relief supplies in. Experts say land deliveries are the most efficient method, but aid groups say those face immense hurdles in part because of Israeli security checkpoints and bombardment.
Catie Edmondson and Robert Jimison contributed reporting.