US Approves Major Military Aid Package to Strengthen Israel Partnership

US Approves Major Military Aid Package to Strengthen Israel Partnership

In a landmark defense agreement, Israel has successfully secured an $8.7 billion military aid package from the United States, marking one of the largest single defense deals of the decade. This crucial support aims to bolster Israel's military operations as it navigates challenges on multiple fronts.

On Thursday, Israel announced the finalization of the aid agreement, designed to assist in current military operations and enhance its strategic capabilities. Earlier this year, in April, President Biden signed a national security supplemental that included $26.38 billion in total aid for Israel, encompassing $5.2 billion specifically for air defense and $3.5 billion allocated for wartime efforts.

Israel’s Ministry of Defense stated, “These efforts are intended to preserve the qualitative security advantage of the State of Israel and support ongoing military operations.”

On the US side, the negotiations were led by Assistant Secretary of Defense for Policy Amanda Dory and Assistant Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment William LaPlante. In a Pentagon statement, Dory highlighted the importance of pursuing diplomatic solutions essential for lasting security while reaffirming America’s commitment to Israel's safety.

Additionally, discussions included ongoing Israeli military operations against Hamas and Hezbollah, emphasizing the urgent need for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages in Gaza and ensuring maximum protection for civilians.

This agreement comes at a critical time as Israel has been engaged in combat on two fronts for nearly a year—against Hamas in the Gaza Strip and Hezbollah along its northern border.