US State Department Fast-Tracks Emergency Shipment of Tank Shells to Israel

The US State Department has bypassed the standard 20-day congressional review period to send thousands of munitions to Israel amid its conflict with Hamas in Gaza. The emergency declaration followed a request for the sale of 45,000 shells for Israel's tanks. The move comes as the US faces pressure to support a ceasefire and place conditions on the weapons it provides to Israel. The State Department confirmed Secretary of State Antony Blinken's exercise of delegated authority for the immediate approval of the transfer. The US has been discreet about the types of weapons and equipment it is sending to Israel, drawing increased scrutiny following an Amnesty International report on the use of US-made weapons in strikes that killed civilians.