The Biden administration has exercised emergency authority to permit the sale of approximately 14,000 tank shells to Israel without congressional review, the Pentagon confirmed on Saturday. The State Department utilized an Arms Export Control Act emergency declaration to facilitate the immediate delivery of tank rounds valued at $106.5 million, according to a statement released by the Pentagon.

This emergency sale is part of a larger package that was initially reported by Reuters on Friday, which the Biden administration is seeking approval from the US Congress. The comprehensive package, worth over $500 million, includes 45,000 shells intended for Israel's Merkava tanks, regularly employed in its offensive operations in Gaza, resulting in the loss of thousands of civilian lives.

The utilization of American weaponry in the conflict has garnered increased scrutiny as the hostilities escalated. Despite this, US officials have stated that there are no plans to impose conditions on military aid to Israel or to consider withholding portions of it.

However, critics have expressed concern over the sale, asserting that it contradicts Washington's aim to encourage Israel to minimize civilian casualties. Advocates for human rights argue that this move raises questions about the United States' commitment to international humanitarian law.

Responding to these concerns, a state department official emphasized that the US government continues to urge Israel to comply with international humanitarian law and take all necessary measures to prevent harm to civilians.

The proposed sale reaffirms the United States' commitment to Israel's security and will bolster the country's defensive capabilities, the official stressed. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has provided detailed justification to Congress, asserting that the immediate provision of tank shells to Israel is in the national security interests of the United States, according to the Pentagon statement.

The tank shells, designated as 120mm M830A1 MPAT cartridges and related equipment, will be sourced from the US Army inventory. The sale aims to enhance Israel's deterrence against regional threats and bolster its homeland defense, without detrimentally affecting US defense readiness, the Pentagon assured.

It is worth noting that Israel's Merkava tanks, which use 120mm shells, have been implicated in incidents resulting in the deaths of journalists. A Reuters investigation published on Thursday revealed that a tank crew fired two shells in quick succession, originating from Israel, which killed Reuters journalist Issam Abdallah and injured six other reporters while they were documenting cross-border shelling.

The approval of this emergency sale of tank shells to Israel highlights the complex dynamics surrounding military aid and the ongoing conflict in the region. The sale will undoubtedly have ramifications for both the humanitarian situation on the ground and the United States' diplomatic relationship with Israel. As international scrutiny intensifies, calls for greater responsibility in the utilization of US-supplied weapons are likely to persist.