White House urges Congress to approve sale of shells for Israeli tanks

President Biden's administration has asked Congress to approve the sale of 45 thousand shells for Israeli tanks being used in the offensive against Hamas in Gaza, according to an American official.

Washington's request has raised growing concerns about the supply of American weapons of war that has caused the deaths of thousands of civilians in the Palestinian region since Hamas' terrorist attack on Israel two months ago.

The sale of these missiles amounts to $500 million, while the process is being examined by relevant commissions for the Senate and House of Representatives Foreign Relations.

An American official who refused to identify himself, and former State Department spokesman Josh Paul told Reuters that the US State Department is urging Congress commissions to approve the sale, despite objections by activists for human rights to the use of American weapons in conflict between Hamas and Israel.

According to the US official, the administration of President Biden is also considering access to the emergency act for controlling arms exports to make it possible for some of the ammunition -- 13 thousand out of 45 thousand shells -- to bypass the commissions and the revision process -- and why, according to him, a final decision has not yet been made.

The United States on Friday vetoed a UN resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, diplomaticly isolating Washington while defending its ally.

Washington says the ceasefire would enable Hamas to re-organise and instead of the ceasefire support the temporary cease-wars to protect civilians and enable the release of hostages taken by militants during the October 7th terrorist attack in Israel.

The United States and several other countries have declared Hamas a terrorist organization. / VOA/