Israeli media: US war reserves stored 'Israel' shrinking for Ukraine

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Israeli Media
27 Apr 2023 18:37

Israeli media reports that US munitions in warehouses located within "Israel" are decreasing as military assistance to Ukraine increases.

155 mm M795 artillery projectiles are stacked during the manufacturing process at the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant in Scranton, Pa., Thursday, April 13, 2023 (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Israeli media reported, on Wednesday, that US war reserves in "Israel's" emergency stockpiles decreased as US military assistance to Ukraine increased.

Israeli media, quoting several Israeli sources, reported that "the amount of US munitions stored in Israel has been dwindling due to the Ukraine war and it is still unclear when it will be replenished"

Moreover, the report explained that these "depots are officially designated as US military storage facilities and as such enjoy diplomatic immunity under bilateral agreements." As part of the agreement, the report highlighted, these reserves were set to be "earmarked for Israel in times of emergency," making reference to the 1973 October war as an example.

According to several sources, Israel Hayom noted, part of the munitions were taken out of 'Israel' in recent months through the port of occupied Isdud. It was also reported that most transfers were conducted on Saturdays to reduce media attention.

According to Israeli media, the munitions stockpiles were transferred out of "Israel" began "under the premierships of Yair Lapid and Naftali Bennett," but have continued until "recent weeks."

The report explained that the reason behind the extraction of ammunition from "Israel" has been due to the ammunition shortages faced in the West as a result of the war in Ukraine.

Despite the argument made for the White House's decision to divert resources and given the "fragile security situation" faced by "Israel," a former cabinet member contended "These are Israel's reserve stockpiles for times of war," adding "The move has had a bigger implication in light of the threats on Israel in multiple theaters."

Significantly, and in complete disregard to Israeli concerns, a US official told Israel Hayom "It is still not clear when the reserves will be restocked."

According to the media report the significance of the decision extends beyond the need for munitions on a different front but also highlighted that the decision revealed itself as "part of the US pivot toward China and Ukraine, which has seen Washington put less of an emphasis on the Middle East."

The Israeli Occupation Forces spokesperson confirmed the transfers reported by the media saying "US equipment stored in Israel was handed over to the US armed forces, in accordance with an American request."

Security situation worst since 1973 war: Former Israeli CGS

The security situation in "Israel" today is the most dangerous since the end of the "Yom Kippur War", i.e., the October Liberation War 1973, said Former Chief of General Staff of the Israeli occupation forces Gadi Eizenkot on April 22, as quoted by Israeli media.

Eizenkot told the Israeli Channel 12 broadcaster that a precedent took place in the Israeli occupation; something that has not happened since the so-called declaration of the Israeli occupation, with the Intelligence Division issuing a strategic warning stating that "Israeli deterrence in the area has been damaged."

This comes after Israeli security minister Yoav Gallant warned of a strategic change in the type of external threats facing the occupation that would change from single-front limited conflicts and would rather be on multi-front large-scale escalations, according to a report by The Times of Israel.

"This is the end of the era of limited conflicts," Gallant told reporters in a briefing. "We are facing a new security era in which there may be a real threat to all arenas at the same time".

In addition to the resistance network with Iran as its focal point, Gallant claimed that the Islamic Republic is today closer to developing a nuclear weapon than ever before, despite Iran never showing such intentions.

"In the face of this threat, we must act in one of two ways: military action or a credible military threat," he said.

"Israel" has been warmongering against Iran for years now by trying to prompt the US towards a military intervention under the alleged pretext of preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

In light of the dead end reached by the JCPOA negotiations, what "Israel" perceives as an exhaustion of the diplomatic route, the Israeli occupation forces have reportedly been preparing for a military intervention against Iran.

Gallant emphasized that "Israel" is ramping up its offensives against the Resistance Axis.