US withdraws ammunition from 'Israel', Ukraine burden increases: Media
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Israeli media say the US withdrew about 300,000 155-millimeter shells from "Israel".
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Rounds of 155-millimeter artillery, which is used in Howitzers (Reuters)
Israeli media reported that the United States removed from "Israel" more than 1,000 containers of American weapons during the past three months, which Washington uses permanently for its activities in the Middle East and as emergency supplies for the Israeli occupation military.
The Israeli news website Mako cited "foreign information" as saying that the Americans withdrew about 300,000 155-millimeter shells, but they did not withdraw ammunition such as air-to-surface of various types and missiles.
The website explained that the Americans permanently keep ammunition of various types in "Israel", but the burden on weapons stockpiles and on the ability of the American industrial base to meet demand in the face of the ongoing war in Ukraine is one of the main challenges facing US President Joe Biden's administration.
The site said the Israeli occupation's security establishment is currently looking at increasing the self-production of ammunition, with an emphasis on 155 mm cannon shells, and ammunition of other types, to fill its stocks.
Israeli media: US war reserves stored 'Israel' shrinking for Ukraine
This comes as a spokesperson for the Israeli occupation confirmed that the US equipment that was stored in "Israel" has been transferred to the US Army at its request.
A couple of days ago, Israeli media reported that US war reserves in "Israel's" emergency stockpiles decreased as US military assistance to Ukraine increased.
The 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 that part of the munitions was taken out of "Israel" in recent months through the port of occupied Isdud. It was also reported that most transfers were carried out on Saturdays to reduce media attention.
According to Israeli media, the munitions stockpiles were transferred out of "Israel" and 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.
