What’s happening

Five hundred transport planes and 107 ships have delivered more than 50,000 tons of armaments and military equipment from the United States to Israel since the start of the war in Gaza last October, the Defense Ministry announced on Monday.

Details

The military equipment delivered to Israel includes “armored vehicles, munitions, ammunition, personal protection gear, and medical equipment,” which is crucial for sustaining the IDF’s operational capabilities during the ongoing conflict.

This “large-scale logistical effort” has been managed by the Directorate of Production and Procurement, the IDF’s Planning Directorate, and the Israeli Air Force’s mission to the U.S.

Why it matters

The U.S. continues to stand by its ally despite criticism and rising death toll reports from Gaza. U.S. President Joe Biden reinforced American commitment to Israel with a recent $17 billion aid package, ensuring Israel is equipped to defend itself against threats from Iran and its proxies.

The bigger picture

Biden’s resignation from the 2024 presidential race raised questions about future Democratic policy. However, Vice President Kamala Harris has affirmed her dedication to Israel’s security, mirroring Biden’s stance in her bid for the presidency.

Despite a brief suspension of heavy bomb shipments earlier this year, part of that consignment has since been released reflecting ongoing U.S. support.

The backdrop

The conflict escalated dramatically on October 7 when Hamas launched a brutal attack on Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. In response, Israel initiated ground operations in Gaza aiming to dismantle Hamas and secure the hostages’ return.

While Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry claims over 40,000 casualties, Israel’s operations focus on reducing civilian suffering and emphasize that Hamas uses innocents as human shields by operating in residential and civilian buildings.

This story was first published on timesofisrael.com.