US Military Aid to Israel Surges to Record High Amidst Gaza War

The United States has poured a record $17.9 billion in military aid to Israel since the start of the Gaza war, The Associated Press reports, citing a new report released by Brown University’s Costs of War project.

This figure, released on the anniversary of Hamas attacks on Israel, marks a significant increase in US support for its ally during the escalating conflict.

The report, compiled by researchers Linda J. Bilmes, William D. Hartung, and Stephen Semler, stresses the massive financial investment the Biden administration has made to back Israel in its battles against Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. This comes in addition to $4.86 billion spent on US military operations in the region, including efforts to combat strikes by Yemen’s Houthis, who are aligned with Hamas.

The report, completed before Israel expanded its strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon, is one of the first to quantify the US financial commitment to the conflict. While the financial cost is significant, the human toll is even heavier. Over 1,200 people were killed in Israel during Hamas’s attacks, and thousands more were taken hostage. In retaliation, Israel’s offensive has resulted in nearly 42,000 deaths in Gaza, according to the territory’s Health Ministry.

The financial costs of the war include military financing, arms sales, and drawdowns from U.S. stockpiles, amounting to at least $4.4 billion. The US has delivered various weapons to Israel, including artillery shells, bunker-busters, and precision-guided bombs, as well as funds to replenish its Iron Dome and David’s Sling missile defense systems.

The report notes the difficulty in obtaining a complete accounting of US military aid to Israel, citing efforts by the Biden administration to obscure the full scope of its assistance. Despite the lack of transparency, the report underscores the significant financial commitment the US has made to its ally in the region.

This financial commitment has stirred debate within the US, particularly during the recent presidential campaign. While some Americans question the level of support provided to Israel during a conflict that has heavily impacted civilians, support for Israel remains a strong factor in American politics. President Biden recently asserted that “no administration has helped Israel more than I have.”