US ʼquietlyʼ authorizes arms shipments worth $2.5 billion to Israel: Report
The Biden administration has faced criticism after reportedly approving significant arms shipments to Israel, despite growing global calls for an arms embargo amid escalating violence in the region.
According to a report by The Washington Post on Friday, the administration has “quietly” authorized arms shipments including more than 1,800 MK84 2,000-pound bombs and 500 MK82 500-pound bombs, as well as 25 F-35A fighter jets and engines worth approximately $2.5 billion.
Unnamed US officials cited in the report noted concerns over the use of 2,000-pound bombs in previous Israeli military actions in Gaza, which have resulted in significant casualties.
Critics, including author Trita Parsi, have accused the Biden administration of disregarding calls for a ceasefire and instead contributing to the ongoing violence. Parsi labeled the decision as "fueling the slaughter" rather than implementing UN resolutions.
The arms transfers come amidst more than 100 shipments authorized by the Biden administration since the October 7 attacks on Israel, as reported by The Washington Post.
Reacting to the news, Palestinian American writer Yousef Munayyer criticized the administration's approach, particularly its "quiet" authorization of the shipments, characterizing it as cowardly.
Similarly, Edward Ahmed Mitchell of the Council on American Islamic Relations condemned the decision, describing it as "unbelievable and unconscionable." Mitchell accused the administration of supporting what he termed as "genocide" led by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Israel has faced accusations of committing genocide in Gaza, with the International Court of Justice issuing an order in January to prevent genocidal acts. Despite this, ongoing atrocities, including the forced starvation of Palestinians, persist.
In response to the situation, the court recently issued another order demanding that Israel allow urgently needed humanitarian aid into Gaza.
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IAF officer found hanging at Raipur residence; probe on
Raipur (PTI): An Indian Air Force (IAF) officer has allegedly committed suicide at his residence in Chhattisgarh capital Raipur, police said.
Wing Commander Vipul Yadav, 39, was posted in tasks related to anti-Naxal operations.
His domestic help found him hanging with a rope from the ceiling fan inside his room at his residence in Vidhayak Colony under the Telibandha police station area on Wednesday morning, a police official said.
Wing Commander Yadav's son and daughter were sleeping in another room, he said.
The officer's wife, who previously served in the IAF, now works in the IT sector in Bengaluru. The couple had a love marriage in 2014, the official said.
According to preliminary information, the couple reportedly had frequent disputes, and personal issues may have prompted him to end his life, the official said.
No suicide note was found at the spot, and further investigation was underway to ascertain the trigger behind the extreme step, he added.
