Media: US plans to transfer tens of thousands of assault rifles to Israel

The Trump administration is weighing the transfer of 24,000 assault rifles to Israel.

The transfer had been delayed by the State Department under the direction of former Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Blinken had instructed the department to halt the delivery of these rifles, which are part of a request totaling $34 million in three shipments.

This decision came after Democratic lawmakers voiced concerns that the weapons could end up with settler militias or be used by Israeli police in unjustified acts of violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. The State Department did not respond to an email inquiry regarding whether the rifle transfer will proceed. 

The Israeli Embassy previously stated that it had addressed concerns raised by US officials about the arms sales. Israel is purchasing over three-quarters of the rifles from Colt's Manufacturing. Lawmakers became aware of the arms deal after the State Department provided informal notification to two congressional committees, shortly after the Hamas attacks in Israel in October 2023 led to intense Israeli military strikes in Gaza. 

The proposed sale raised concerns among both lawmakers and some State Department officials.

Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked US President Donald Trump for lifting the ban on providing Israel with 2,000-pound (approximately 907 kg) aerial bombs. Netanyahu expressed gratitude to Trump for fulfilling his promise to provide Israel with the tools necessary for defense and to fight common enemies.

By Naila Huseynova