In a significant move, the Biden administration is reportedly close to approving the sale of up to 50 American-made F-15 fighter jets to Israel, a deal expected to be worth over $18 billion. The transaction, which would mark the largest US foreign military sale to Israel since the country's recent conflict with Hamas, comes alongside a potential sale of precision-guided munitions kits. These sales underline the continued US support for Israel, even as Biden administration officials express concerns over Israel's operations in Gaza.

The sale of advanced weaponry to Israel is likely to face intense scrutiny and debate in Congress, particularly among members of the president's own party. Democratic lawmakers have called for restrictions on military aid to Israel until there is increased humanitarian aid and protection for civilians in Gaza. The administration informally notified congressional committees about the F-15 sale in late January, providing time for lawmakers to review the details and ask questions before a formal notification is sent.

Sen. James Risch, the top Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has reportedly given his approval for the sale. Meanwhile, the Democratic chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Rep. Michael McCaul, has also approved the transaction to proceed. However, objections from Sen. Ben Cardin and Rep. Greg Meeks, both Democrats, could still delay or block the sale.

The sale of F-15 fighter jets, along with engines, gun systems, radars, and navigation systems, would require construction and logistical infrastructure. Additionally, a mid-life update for Israel's existing fleet of F-15s is included in the package. It is worth noting that the delivery of these jets is not expected for another 4-5 years, and Israeli officials have reportedly urged the US to expedite the timeline.

The Biden administration's decision to approve these sales during an election year, when its policy towards Israel is under scrutiny, has raised questions among sources. However, it is believed that the US sees these sales as essential for Israel's long-term defense, especially considering the threats it faces from entities like Hamas and Iran-sponsored proxy groups.

There are also concerns among some US diplomats regarding the administration's reluctance to use leverage over Israel to alter its approach to the ongoing conflict. Furthermore, frustrations have been expressed regarding the administration's downplaying of the US abstention from a recent UN vote calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

The Biden administration's approach to intelligence sharing with Israel has also drawn attention. The US has reportedly offered significant processing capacity to the Israeli government, allowing them to analyze intercepted data and extract meaningful insights. US officials maintain that they do not provide Israel with targeting intelligence and that their involvement is focused on locating hostages.

As the sale of F-15 fighter jets and precision-guided munitions remains pending formal notification to Congress, it remains to be seen how lawmakers will respond. The sale will have a 30-day period for potential objections through a joint resolution of disapproval, but historically, Congress has never successfully blocked a proposed arms sale through this method.