One year into war on Gaza, US aid examined closely: WSJ
4 Min Read
As "Israel" continues to slaughter Palestinians, killing over 42,000 thus far, and expand its aggression into Lebanon, questioning of Western military assistance has grown.
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This image provided by the US Air Force shows the US Army Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) launching station preparing to load onto a 4th Airlift Squadron C-17 Globemaster III at Fort Bliss, Texas on February 23, 2019. (AP)
The United States has considerably expanded military backing for "Israel" after the war on Gaza began over a year ago. During this time, the US has contributed billions of dollars in security support and sent military troops to help "Israel" directly.
In response to recent Iranian missile threats, the United States will deliver a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system to the occupation, along with soldiers to operate it. This system is intended to intercept incoming ballistic missiles.
As "Israel" continues to slaughter Palestinians, killing over 42,000 thus far, and expand its aggression into Lebanon, questioning of Western military assistance has grown.
In April, the US and its allies assisted "Israel" in fending off an Iranian missile attack during Operation True Promise, intercepting multiple missiles and drones using F-15E Strike Eagles and destroyer aircraft.
The US military engaged again during a recent Iranian strike, shooting interceptors against ballistic missiles intended at "Israel".
The Pentagon has not released the costs of US military support for "Israel" since last October, but Brown University's Costs of War study estimates that extra US activities in the Middle East during this period have cost $4.86 billion. The cost of installing a THAAD system in "Israel" is unknown, despite the fact that the United States now has seven THAAD batteries.
The US spent at least $22.76 billion over one year on military aid to "Israel" and US operations in the region, a recent report revealed. Additionally, in April, Congress passed a national security package that included $14.1 billion for "Israel".
"Israel" has deployed US-made weapons to kill the Palestinian and Lebanese peoples in the last year. Two thousand pound explosives manufactured in the US were used to murder Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut.
Nearly 14,000 tank ammo cartridges and 155mm artillery rounds have been sold for more than $250 million. The over 100 military sales to the occupation in the last year include thousands of precision-guided missiles and other deadly munitions. Additional permits, such as a $20 billion weapons package, will take years to complete, with delivery set for 2026 and beyond.
The majority of US military aid to "Israel" comes through the Foreign Military Financing program, which provides funding for the purchase of US military equipment and services. The US also invests around $500 million per year for combined missile defense systems. Since 2009, it has spent $3.4 billion on missile defense, including $1.3 billion for the Iron Dome system.
"Israel" also has access to modern US military technology as the first overseas operator of the F-35 fighter plane, which it utilized in its war on Gaza in 2018. Military aid to "Israel" has received near-unanimous bipartisan support over the years, with just a few pauses or limits imposed.
Last month, investigations were initiated into the transfer of weapons amid concerns of violations of human rights and blocking of humanitarian aid.
In a 17-page memo sent to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in April, USAID told top US diplomats that US law requires the administration to cut off weapons shipments to governments that prevent the delivery of US-backed humanitarian aid. The Refugees Bureau also delivered a similar evaluation.
According to ProPublica, both Blinken and the administration of President Joe Biden refused to accept the conclusions reached by the two US agencies.
Despite the thousands slaughtered, the US maintains that "Israel's" right to "self-defense" is the priority.
