U.S. Senate Blocks Resolutions to Halt $675M Arms Sales to Israel Amid Gaza Crisis

The U.S. Senate on Wednesday rejected two resolutions seeking to block arms sales to Israel, despite growing concerns over civilian casualties in Gaza. The measures, introduced by Senator Bernie Sanders, failed by votes of 73-24 and 70-27 but gained more support than similar proposals defeated in April.

The resolutions aimed to halt the sale of $675 million in bombs and 20,000 assault rifles to Israel. Sanders highlighted a shift in Democratic support, stating that public sentiment is turning against funding military actions contributing to humanitarian suffering in Gaza. All supporting votes came from Democrats, while Republicans, aligned with President Donald Trump, unanimously opposed the measures.

Senator Jeanne Shaheen, a key Democrat who previously voted against similar efforts, backed the resolutions this time, citing Israel’s failure to comply with international humanitarian law and insufficient aid access to Gaza.

Opponents, including Republican Senator Jim Risch, argued that Hamas bears responsibility for the conflict and called for its destruction. Israel maintains its military campaign is in self-defense, accusing Hamas of using civilians as human shields — a claim Hamas denies.

The debate unfolds as France and Canada move toward recognizing a Palestinian state, with Britain signaling potential recognition at the U.N. General Assembly in September if hostilities persist. The Gaza conflict, sparked by Hamas’ October attack that killed 1,200 Israelis and took 250 hostages, has resulted in over 60,000 Palestinian deaths, mass displacement, and warnings of impending famine.

Israel’s air and ground operations have devastated much of Gaza’s infrastructure, displacing most of the enclave’s 2.3 million residents while seeking to dismantle Hamas’ military capabilities and secure hostage releases.