US Military Aid to Israel Reaches Record $17.9 Billion of Taxpayers Money in Wake of Gaza Genocide
Washington, DC (Quds News Network)- The United States has set a record by spending at least $17.9 billion on military aid to Israel in the year following the October 7, 2023, according to a recent report by Brown University’s Costs of War project. This substantial financial commitment underscores the Biden administration’s ongoing support for Israel amidst Israel’s assaults in Gaza and Lebanon.
The report reveals that, in addition to the aid directed to Israel, approximately $4.86 billion has been allocated for intensified US military operations in the region, including efforts to counter Houthi attacks on Israel’s commercial shipping.
Since its creation, Israel has been the largest recipient of US military assistance, receiving a staggering $251.2 billion in inflation-adjusted dollars since 1959. The latest $17.9 billion figure marks the highest annual military aid amount sent to Israel, comprising military financing, arms sales, and substantial drawdowns from US stockpiles.
Key expenditures during this period have included $4 billion for replenishing Israel’s Iron Dome and David’s Sling missile defense systems and various munitions, including artillery shells and precision-guided bombs.
Unlike the military aid to Ukraine, which has been thoroughly documented, the exact details of US military shipments to Israel post-October 7 remain unclear, with researchers estimating that the reported figure may represent only a portion of the total assistance.
As US military presence in the Middle East increases, the Biden administration has dispatched additional troops and resources to deter potential threats against Israeli and American forces. The troop levels surged from 34,000 at the time of the attacks to approximately 50,000 in August 2024, with ongoing deployments of aircraft carriers and military strike groups in the region.
While this support for Israel has sparked debate within the US, particularly during the ongoing presidential campaign, President Biden emphasized his administration’s commitment, stating, “no administration has helped Israel more than I have.”
As the situation evolves, US taxpayers are keenly aware of how their financial contributions are being utilized, especially amidst the heavy toll on civilian lives resulting from the ongoing assaults in Gaza and Lebanon. The humanitarian costs are staggering, with nearly 42,000 reported deaths in Gaza and 1,400 casualties in Lebanon since the beginning of the recent escalations.
