US Congress approves $14.5 billion military aid for Israel.

On November 2, 2023, the United States House of Representatives approved a $14.5 billion military aid package for Israel. This move comes in the aftermath of the Israeli Defense Forces' (IDF) incursion into the Gaza Strip, which was initiated in response to attacks by Hamas on October 7, 2023.
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 United States House of Representatives approved a $14.5 billion military aid package for Israel. (Picture source: Raytheon)

The United States and Israel have a long-standing military cooperation, characterized by joint defense projects and exchanges of military equipment, including the Merkava tank and the IAI Lavi fighter jet. Israel also contributed to the development of the F-35 Lightning II fighter jet. In return, the United States Sixth Fleet benefits from access to the Haifa naval base, and Israel provides logistical support to American forces in the region.

Historically, since 1987, Israel has received an average of $1.8 billion per year in military aid from the United States, an amount that was increased to $2.4 billion during the Clinton administration and to $3 billion in 2007. Between 2019 and 2028, military aid is expected to reach almost $4 billion annually.

In the face of recent Hamas attacks, the United States has taken steps to strengthen its support for Israel, including deploying the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford to the Eastern Mediterranean and increasing the presence of fighter jets in the region.

Among the military equipment supplied, the M113, an armored personnel carrier, and the M109, a self-propelled howitzer, are notable. The M113 can carry a crew of two and up to 11 soldiers, while the M109 is equipped with a 155mm cannon and can fire shells at a distance of 40km with special ammunition.

Additionally, U.S. military aid to Israel includes air defense systems such as Iron Dome interceptors, as well as precision-guided munitions, including small-diameter bombs (SDBs) and munitions kits. joint direct attack (JDAM). These transform unguided bombs into smart munitions, capable of striking with precision thanks to a GPS-assisted inertial navigation system and tail fins for guidance. The JDAM kits, manufactured by Boeing, are essential to improving the precision of airstrikes and increasing the effectiveness of Israeli military operations.

U.S. Department of Defense officials have confirmed that additional Iron Dome batteries, as well as JDAM kits, are being prepared for delivery to Israel, strengthening the country's defensive and offensive capability against regional threats.