What’s happening

The United States has greenlighted a substantial military agreement with Israel valued at $7.41 billion. This deal includes state-of-the-art guided munitions like Hellfire missiles, bombs, and essential guidance systems, all sourced from U.S. stockpiles and renowned American companies such as Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and L3Harris.

Why it matters

This deal underscores the United States’ unwavering commitment to Israel’s security and regional stability. By enhancing Israel’s defense capabilities, the agreement fortifies the country’s ability to protect its borders and important infrastructure from potential threats. Additionally, by aligning with Israel’s defensive needs, this partnership reaffirms the strong bilateral relationship and mutual interests between the two nations.

What to watch

Among the armaments included in the agreement, Israel will receive 3,000 Hellfire missiles and around 13,000 JDAM guidance kits, which are paramount for precision targeting. These supplies will see a gradual phase of deliveries, with Hellfire missiles arriving starting in 2028 and other munitions beginning as soon as 2025.

What they’re saying

The Pentagon emphasized that this arms package is fundamental to Israel’s defense system and expressly noted that it does not distort the regional power balance nor compromises U.S. military readiness. It harmonizes perfectly with the longstanding U.S. policy to support Israel robustly in safeguarding its territory and population.

The bottom line

This formidable bolstering of Israel’s military forces signals a steadfast reassurance in its strategic alliances with the United States. Having Prime Minister Netanyahu engaging with American counterparts further exhibits Israel’s active engagement and diplomatic efforts in nurturing and strengthening this critical association.

This story was first published on ynetnews.com.