What this is about
The Biden administration has significantly bolstered Israel’s military supplies, delivering more than 10,000 powerful 2,000-pound bombs and thousands of Hellfire missiles since the onset of the Gaza conflict, according to two U.S. officials briefed on the details.
Why it matters
This substantial support underlines the United States’ strong commitment to its ally Israel, providing the necessary munitions to sustain its defense efforts against Hamas and other threats in the region.
The details
Since October, the U.S. has sent at least 14,000 MK-84 2,000-pound bombs, 6,500 500-pound bombs, 3,000 Hellfire precision-guided missiles, 1,000 bunker-buster bombs, and 2,600 small-diameter bombs to Israel. These shipments were confirmed by officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
The context
Israel has been involved in an intense military campaign in Gaza following the brutal October 7 attack by Hamas, which resulted in 1,200 Israeli casualties, mostly civilians, and the kidnapping of 251 hostages. Experts affirm that the munitions being delivered are critical for Israel to replenish its depleted stockpiles after engaging in this eight-month-long conflict.
Zoom out
Since the conflict started, Israel and Hezbollah have had near-daily conflicts, with concerns growing over a potential all-out war. Despite some international calls to limit weapon supplies, the United States has not significantly reduced its support. The Biden administration did pause a shipment of 2,000-pound bombs due to concerns about their impact in densely populated areas like Gaza, but overall support remains strong.
The broader picture
A senior official indicated that since October 7, the U.S. has provided $6.5 billion worth of security assistance to Israel. While there were claims from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about alleged U.S. withholding of weapons, American officials have consistently denied such claims, albeit acknowledging some logistical bottlenecks.
Implications
International scrutiny of Israel’s operations in Gaza has been rising, with the reported Palestinian death toll surpassing 37,000, according to Palestinian sources. However, Israel emphasizes that its combatants have been primarily engaged in actions against terrorists, killing around 15,000 combatants and achieving critical operations inside Gaza.
On a related note
The United States maintains a policy of strong military aid to Israel, a cornerstone of its Middle Eastern strategy. Despite some political challenges and scrutiny over this policy, particularly in light of upcoming elections, the administration continues to stand by its ally.
This story was first published on timesofisrael.com.