In the wake of rising civilian casualties in Gaza, the United States has shifted its tone towards Israel's administration, expressing concern. Yet, the key supplier of Israel's military arsenal remains steady - the United States. Over the Gaza dispute, American aircraft have transported over 10,000 tons of military goods, including armored vehicles, ammunition, and medical supplies. The 200th cargo plane, jointly organized by the US Department of Defense and Israeli Ministry of Defense, along with the army, was the latest delivery.
Amidst the escalating tension, the US government has consistently endorsed Israel's right to self-defense. However, it has also urged Israel to prioritize civilian protection during its confrontation with Hamas, given the substantial civilian casualties in Gaza.
The US has a long-standing history of providing substantial military aid to Israel. The most recent escalation in hostilities was triggered by a Hamas-instigated attack near the Israel-Gaza border, resulting in over 1,200 fatalities. In retaliation, Israel conducted aerial strikes, followed by a ground offensive in late October.
According to information from the Hamas-managed Health Ministry, the conflict has claimed more than 16,200 lives in Gaza. Although these figures are not independently verified, they have been deemed generally trustworthy by international bodies and observers.
Insights:
- New Arms Package: Speculations suggest the US is on the verge of approving a new $1 billion arms deal, consisting of advanced weaponry and armored vehicles. This move comes after the US has already dispatched thousands of explosives, including 2,000-pound bombs suspected in past Gaza mass casualty incidents [1][3].
- F-15 Fighters: The Biden administration has given the green light for an $18 billion transfer of F-15 fighter jets to the Israeli Air Force. This move signifies a significant escalation in military aid during the current Gaza conflict [3].
The US response to the Gaza conflict has been criticized for its failure to effectively address civilian casualties and potential war crimes allegations against Israel. Although the US has refuted genocide allegations, critics argue it is ignoring the humanitarian crisis and its weapons' impact on the conflict. Moreover, the US has failed to implement consequences for Israeli actions, which undermines international humanitarian law and fuels further instability [2].
Enrichment Data:
The relationship between the US and Israel regarding military aid is multifaceted, characterized by both support and criticism.
Ongoing Support
- Formal Notifications: The US State Department has issued formal notifications to Congress concerning a $7.4 billion weapons sale to Israel, including an assortment of bombs and missiles. The aim is to bolster Israel's capability to counter present and future threats, as well as strengthen its homeland defense [1].
- Historical Aid: Since its inception, Israel has been the largest cumulative recipient of US foreign aid, benefiting from approximately $310 billion overall (economic and military aid combined). During the conflict with Hamas in October 2023, the US has already provided direct military aid amounting to at least $12.5 billion [5].
Growing Criticism
- Human Rights Concerns: Human rights organizations and certain US lawmakers have expressed concern over the use of US-manufactured munitions in the Gaza conflict. Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have accused the US of complicity in war crimes due to continuing military aid to Israel amid allegations of genocide and human rights violations [3][4].
- Legislative Scrutiny: Some US lawmakers have voiced concerns over the utilization of US weapons in the conflict. For example, Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen accused Israel of committing war crimes in Gaza, while Democratic Congressman Andre Carson raised concerns over white phosphorus and devastating bombings of refugee camps [3].
- Public Scrutiny: The public scrutiny of US aid to Israel has increased, with a March 2024 poll by Pew Research Center showing that while most Americans hold favorable views of the Israeli people, a slight majority views the Israeli government unfavorably. This development mirrors growing concerns over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and allegations of civilian casualties [5].
Official Response
- Lack of Formal Assessment: Despite growing criticism, the US government has declined to conduct a formal assessment of whether Israel is violating international humanitarian law. In January 2024, the US acknowledged it was not carrying out such an assessment [3].
- Diplomatic Support: The Biden administration has maintained diplomatic backing for Israel, with President Biden declaring that there is "no red line" regarding US support for Israel. This stance has been criticized by human rights organizations and certain lawmakers, who argue it enables potential war crimes [3][4].
