Fact Check: "The $7.4 billion arms deal that included the transfer of Hellfire missiles to Israel was approved by Congress in February 2025."
What We Know
The claim states that a $7.4 billion arms deal, which includes the transfer of Hellfire missiles to Israel, was approved by Congress in February 2025. According to reports, the U.S. State Department did approve a foreign military sales (FMS) request for Israel amounting to approximately $7.4 billion, which includes various munitions such as Hellfire missiles and other military equipment (source-1, source-2). However, this approval was a notification to Congress rather than a formal approval by Congress itself.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) indicated that Congress had been informed of the proposed sales, but it is important to note that formal approval by Congress typically requires a review period during which Congress can raise objections. The actual delivery of the Hellfire missiles is expected to commence in 2028, indicating that the deal is still in its early stages (source-3, source-4).
Analysis
The claim that the arms deal was "approved by Congress" is misleading. While the State Department did notify Congress of the proposed arms sales, this does not equate to Congressional approval. The process typically allows Congress to review and potentially object to such sales, which means that the deal is not finalized until any objections are resolved or the review period expires (source-2, source-4).
Furthermore, the timeline for the delivery of the Hellfire missiles is set for 2028, which indicates that the deal is still pending and subject to further scrutiny (source-1, source-6). The initial reports do not provide evidence that Congress has formally approved the deal, which is a critical distinction.
The sources used in this analysis are credible, including government reports and reputable news organizations. However, the interpretation of "approval" varies, and the claim does not accurately reflect the procedural realities of arms sales in the U.S. government context.
Conclusion
Verdict: False
The claim that the $7.4 billion arms deal, including Hellfire missiles to Israel, was approved by Congress in February 2025 is misleading. While the State Department did notify Congress of the proposed sales, formal Congressional approval has not been confirmed. The deal remains subject to review, and actual deliveries are not expected to begin until 2028.
Sources
- State Department Clears $7.4B in Israel FMS Deals for Hellfire Missiles ... (https://www.govconwire.com/2025/02/state-department-israel-fms-deals-hellfire-missiles-munitions/)
- Trump administration backs big arms sales to Israel ... (https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-state-department-approves-military-sales-worth-74-billion-israel-2025-02-07/)
- State Department lays out plans for $7 billion-plus arms sale to Israel ... (https://apnews.com/article/israel-weapons-us-sale-netanyahu-trump-gaza-c53a61873314be2336c3733b97d89ff3)
- US State Department informs Congress of $7.4 billion arms sale to Israel (https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-state-department-informs-congress-of-7-4-billion-arms-sale-to-israel/)
- US shipped 300 Hellfires to Israel before Iran strike, aided defense ... (https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-857663)
- US approves $7.4bn sale of more weapons to Israel used ... (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/07/israel-weapons-sale-gaza)
