Senate rejects effort to block US arms sales to Israel amid Gaza crisis

The US Senate on Wednesday rejected three resolutions aimed at halting the sale of offensive arms to Israel, despite growing criticism of Israel’s military actions in Gaza.

The measures, introduced by Senator Bernie Sanders, sought to block the sale of $774.1 million in tank rounds, $61.1 million in high-explosive mortar rounds, and $262 million in JDAM guidance kits.

The resolutions, which failed by wide margins—18-79, 17-57, and 17-80—signaled growing dissent among Democrats and Independents despite bipartisan support for Israel. “What this extremist government has done in Gaza is unspeakable,” Sanders said, accusing the US of complicity through its military aid, which amounted to $18 billion over the past year.

Critics of the measures, including Republican Senator Ted Budd, argued that blocking the sales would increase civilian casualties by denying Israel access to precision weaponry. “Apparently, Sen. Sanders would prefer that Israelis use less accurate weapons to eliminate terrorists,” Budd said.

Sanders countered, saying, “A smart bomb does not save civilian lives when it is directly targeting civilians,” accusing Israel of using JDAMs to hit UN-run schools and refugee centers in Gaza, resulting in significant civilian casualties.

Scott Paul of Oxfam America called the Senate’s rejection “another bitter disappointment,” but noted the votes reflect growing opposition to US complicity in Gaza’s humanitarian crisis. “It points to a future in which the US is committed…to a dignified future for all Palestinians and Israelis,” he said.

The ongoing conflict in Gaza has claimed nearly 44,000 lives, primarily women and children, while exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis due to Israel’s restrictions on aid delivery.