US blocks UN Security Council statement for 3rd time, approves $735m weapons sale to Israel

The third UN Security Council emergency meeting in a week has again ended with no concrete outcome since the United States blocked a joint statement calling for immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, reports Al Jazeera.

The meeting on Sunday took place after the US reportedly blocked resolutions condemning Israel's military response twice over the last week.

Meanwhile, the Biden administration has approved sale of $735 million in precision-guided weapons to Israel on May 17, reported The Washington Post. A spokesperson for the House Foreign Affairs Committee confirmed Congress was notified of the commercial deal -- in which Boeing will provide the weapons to Israel -- on May 5.

Commercial weapons deals with Israel have largely bipartisan agreement in Congress. However, a new generation of House Democrats, who are more open to questioning Washington's support of Netanyahu are expected to raise red flags over the purchase. A Democratic aide on the House Foreign Affairs Committee told The Washington Post that "there's zero transparency on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and sensitive deals are regularly approved without scrutiny."

While there has been major shifts in the Democratic party regarding US support for Israel, it is also unlikely that any pushback over the sale will ultimately result in a resolution of disapproval from Congress.