Live: US approves $20 billion in weapons package for Israel, despite Gaza carnage US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday approved the possible sale to Israel of fighter jets and other military equipment worth over $20 billion, brushing aside pressure from rights activists to stop arms deliveries over the humanitarian toll in Gaza. Meanwhile Iran rejected a call Tuesday by three European countries urging it to refrain from any retaliatory attacks that would further escalate regional tensions, calling it an “excessive request.” Follow our liveblog for the latest updates.