US approves major arms deals to Israel, Saudi Arabia

WASHINGTON: The United States on Friday approved multibillion-dollar weapons sales to both Israel and Saudi Arabia, at a point of high tensions with Iran.

The State Department said it green-lighted a $3.8-billion sale of 30 Apache attack helicopters to Israel, which has agreed to a fragile ceasefire in Gaza.

“The United States is committed to the security of Israel, and it is vital to US national interests to assist Israel to develop and maintain a strong and ready self-defense capability,” the State Department said in a statement.

“This proposed sale is consistent with those objectives,” it said.

Also in the package was a $1.8 billion sale of joint light tactical vehicles.

The United States sends billions of dollars’ worth of military supplies per year to Israel, largely in aid rather than sales.

Israel and Hamas reached a US-backed ceasefire in October that largely paused two years of war.

Tensions are high elsewhere in the region as the United States deploys a major military contingent in waters near Iran.

The State Department also approved a $9-billion sale to Saudi Arabia for 730 Patriot missiles, which are used to defend against incoming attacks.

Israel last year carried out a major bombing campaign against nuclear and other military sites in Iran.

Iran has faced growing pressure after major protests against the clerical state, in which reportedly killed thousands of protesters.

Saudi Arabia, while no friend of Iran, has voiced caution about an attack on Iran as Gulf monarchies fear instability that could jeopardize their reputation as business havens.

Saudi Arabia for years has been considering a historic normalization with Israel, which increasingly seems distant as the kingdom looks warily at Israel’s military acts in the Palestinian territories.

The Trump administration has said that the Gaza ceasefire is now in its second phase, with a focus on disarming Hamas.

At least 71,667 Palestinians have been killed in the small coastal territory of Gaza by Israel’s military campaign, according to Gaza’s health ministry.