The U.S. State Department has greenlit a $510 million sale of munitions guidance kits to Israel, further fueling its devastating military campaign in the Gaza Strip, which critics are calling a genocide.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced Monday that the deal includes 3,845 KMU-558B/B Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) kits for BLU-109 bombs and 3,280 KMU-572 F/B JDAM kits for MK 82 bombs, along with engineering, logistics, and technical support.

The DSCA claimed the sale would “enhance Israel’s capability to meet current and future threats” by bolstering its ability to defend borders and population centers. However, this move comes as Israel’s relentless offensive in Gaza has killed over 56,500 Palestinians since October 2023, according to Gaza health authorities. On Monday alone, Israeli airstrikes and artillery killed at least 97 Palestinians, including displaced civilians sheltering in targeted areas, with countless others injured.

The U.S. decision has drawn fierce condemnation for arming Israel while its military actions devastate Gaza’s civilian population. Critics argue that the Biden administration’s unwavering military support—now including precision-guided munitions—makes the U.S. complicit in the slaughter. The International Criminal Court’s arrest warrants issued last November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity underscore the gravity of the crisis. Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in Gaza.

As the civilian death toll mounts, the U.S.’s latest arms sale is seen by many as a shameful endorsement of Israel’s brutal campaign, deepening Washington’s role in the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe. (ILKHA)