In one year, US spent at least $22.76 bln on 'Israel', ops. in region

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs
9 Oct 2024 22:31

A report published by the Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs says the operations against Yemen alone cost the US government $4.86 billion.

Listen

An Israeli Iron Dome anti-rocket system, right, and an American Patriot missile defense system are shown during a joint U.S.-"Israel" military exercise on March 8, 2018. (AFP via Getty Images)

The United States spent at least $22.76 billion over the course of one year on military aid to "Israel" and US operations in the region, a recent report revealed.

The report, published by the Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs, highlighted that operations against Yemen alone cost the US government $4.86 billion, in addition to $2.1 billion incurred by shipping companies that had to reroute or pay hefty fees, impacting American consumers through higher product prices.

The figure also includes $17.9 billion in security aid approved by the US government for Israeli military operations in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, and Syria between October 7, 2023, and September 30, 2024.

However, according to the report, this number only reflects part of the financial support provided by the US for this war.

It recalled that the Biden administration has executed over 100 arms deals with "Israel" since October 2023, each falling below the threshold that would have required formal notification to Congress.

Since October 7, deliveries to "Israel" have included 57,000 artillery shells, 36,000 rounds of cannon ammunition, 20,000 M4A1 rifles, 13,981 anti-tank missiles, and 8,700 Mk 82 500-pound bombs, the report emphasized.

It noted that on August 13, 2024, the Biden administration announced an additional $20.3 billion in arms agreements with "Israel" for future delivery, though this proposal is currently under Congressional debate.

The report also highlighted the longstanding commercial relationships between US defense contractors, such as Boeing, RTX, Lockheed Martin, and General Dynamics, and the Israeli government.

It explained that these ties are frequently cited by US officials as a key reason for continuing to supply other militaries, including "Israel", with weapons and equipment.

Cumulatively, "Israel" remains the largest recipient of US aid since World War II, the report mentioned. However, it underscored that the $17.9 billion in military assistance approved this past year surpasses any prior annual total since the US began providing military aid to "Israel" in 1959.

This comes as the United States claims to be making efforts to reach a ceasefire in both Gaza and Lebanon, as "Israel" persists with its aggression against civilians there, killing more than 42,000 Palestinians in the enclave and more than 2,000 in Lebanon.

Still, the Israeli occupation military has been unable to deter the Palestinian and Lebanese Resistance from continuously launching different types of attacks on Israeli targets in occupied territories.