11 Aug. 24: In a move that has sparked significant controversy, the United States has announced plans to provide $3.5 billion in military aid to Israel. This funding is part of a $14.1 billion supplemental bill approved by Congress in April 2024 and will allow Israel to purchase American weapons and military equipment. The State Department confirmed on August 8 that the funds would be allocated under the FY 2024 Foreign Military Financing, using resources from the Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act.
The decision, initially reported by CNN, comes at a time when tensions in the Middle East are at a boiling point, particularly following the assassination of Hamas’ political chief in Tehran and a senior Hezbollah commander in Beirut by Israeli forces. The potential for retaliation from Iran and Hezbollah has added to the volatility of the situation.
The US has faced harsh criticism for its continued military support of Israel, particularly in light of the recent conflict in Gaza. Since October 7, Israeli bombings have resulted in the deaths of an estimated 40,000 Palestinians, an act that US President Joe Biden has controversially described as “indiscriminate.”
Human rights groups and several former US State Department officials have condemned the Biden administration’s decision to continue arms transfers to Israel. In a statement released last month, twelve former officials, including Josh Paul and Annelle Sheline, asserted that America’s ongoing support for Israel’s military actions in Gaza has made the US complicit in what they described as the “killings and forced starvation” of the Palestinian population.
A report released in May 2024 suggested that Israel had used US-made weapons in ways that may be inconsistent with international humanitarian law. However, the report refrained from drawing definitive conclusions due to a lack of complete information. The ongoing conflict and the US’s involvement continue to raise significant ethical and legal questions on the international stage.
