In a move that has raised concerns among rights advocates, the United States government has utilized emergency authority to allow the sale of approximately 14,000 tank shells to Israel without congressional review, according to the Pentagon. The State Department invoked the Arms Export Control Act emergency declaration, enabling the immediate delivery of tank rounds worth $106.5 million to Israel, as stated in a Pentagon statement released on Saturday.

These tank shells are part of a larger package, valued at over $500 million, which the Biden administration is seeking congressional approval for. The package includes a total of 45,000 shells intended for Israel's Merkava tanks, which have been frequently deployed during the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Tragically, this offensive has already claimed the lives of thousands of Palestinian civilians, with at least 17,700 Palestinians killed and more than 48,800 wounded since October 7th.

The utilization of US weapons in the conflict has faced increased scrutiny as the war intensifies. Although US officials have stated that there are currently no plans to impose conditions on military aid to Israel or to consider withholding any of it, this recent sale has triggered concern among rights advocates. They argue that it contradicts Washington's efforts to press Israel to minimize civilian casualties.

In response, a State Department official emphasized that Washington has consistently communicated to the Israeli government that it must adhere to international law and make every possible effort to avoid harm to civilians. The official also noted that the proposed sale is a demonstration of the US commitment to Israel's security and will enhance its defensive capabilities.

According to the Pentagon statement, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken provided a detailed justification to Congress, asserting that the immediate provision of the tank shells to Israel is in the national security interests of the US. The sale will be sourced from the US Army inventory and will consist of 120mm M830A1 High Explosive Anti-Tank Multi-Purpose with Tracer (MPAT) tank cartridges, along with related equipment.

The Pentagon emphasized that the sale will not have any adverse impact on US defense readiness. They further stated that Israel will utilize the enhanced capabilities as a deterrent to regional threats and to strengthen its homeland defense.

It is important to note that incidents involving the use of Israel's Merkava tanks and 120mm shells have also been linked to the deaths of journalists. A recent investigation by Reuters news agency revealed that an Israeli tank crew fired two shells in quick succession, killing journalist Issam Abdallah and injuring six reporters who were filming cross-border shelling.

According to the media watchdog Committee to Protect Journalists, a total of 63 journalists, including 56 Palestinians, four Israelis, and three Lebanese nationals, have been killed since the outbreak of the Gaza war.

As the conflict in Gaza continues, the sale of these tank shells to Israel underscores the ongoing debate surrounding the use of US weapons and the need to prioritize civilian protection in conflict zones.