The United States has spent a whopping $22 billion on military aid to Israel and managing conflicts triggered by the ongoing Gaza war. This massive financial outlay was revealed in a new report analyzing US military spending in the Middle East. Here’s a breakdown of where this money went, how it was used, and why it matters
Billions Poured into Israeli Aid
Since the devastating attacks by Hamas on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, the US has sent Israel an unprecedented $17.9 billion in military aid. This figure is the highest ever provided to Israel, surpassing aid given during the historic 1973 Arab-Israeli war and the Egypt-Israel peace deal.
President Biden promised full, unconditional support for Israel after the attacks, ensuring that arms would keep flowing into the country, despite concerns from some US lawmakers and human rights groups. These critics pointed to the heavy civilian casualties in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon caused by Israel’s offensive actions.
US Military Aid through the Years
To give some perspective, the aid given to Israel since October 2023 is four times more than what the country received in the 1980s during its conflict with the Palestinian Liberation Organisation in Lebanon. It’s also far more than what the US spent during Israel’s long occupation of Lebanon or its war with Hezbollah in 2006.
The United States has given Israel $6.8 billion in Foreign Military Financing (FMF) since the beginning of the Gaza conflict. On top of that, $4.5 billion has been used to supply missile defense systems, and another $1 billion has gone toward boosting Israel’s artillery production.
A Surge in Weapons Supply
As Israel continues its military operations, it is using up ammunition at a fast pace, striking Gaza, Lebanon, and other targets. Just last week, Israel activated its powerful Arrow System, a ballistic missile defense, to shoot down 180 missiles fired by Iran.
The US has even tapped into its own stockpile of weapons, sending an additional $4.4 billion worth of supplies to Israel. In April, President Biden signed a bill that provided $1.2 billion to help Israel develop a laser missile defense system. This new system will work alongside Israel’s existing defense tools, including the Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and the Arrow System.
Spillover Conflicts Drive Costs Up
Beyond Israel’s military needs, the US is dealing with spillover conflicts that have erupted across the region since the Gaza war began. The US has spent an extra $4.86 billion on military operations in response to attacks from groups like Hezbollah in Lebanon, Shia militias in Iraq, and the Houthis in Yemen. These attacks, launched by militias backed by Iran, have targeted US and Western military assets in the region as a show of support for Gaza.
In addition to these attacks, the Houthis have gone after US ships and commercial vessels in the Red Sea, forcing the US to defend itself with expensive interceptors against the Houthis’ cheaper missiles and drones.
Costly Aircraft Carrier Operations
One of the most expensive aspects of the US military response has been the deployment of aircraft carriers. According to experts, it costs $8.7 million per day to operate a carrier strike group. Over a year, that amounts to $2.7 billion. Since the US began deploying carriers to the Middle East following the October 2023 attacks, costs have piled up, and it’s likely the Pentagon will need another $1.5 to $2 billion in emergency funding soon.
The USS Eisenhower, one of the carriers in the region, spent nine months patrolling Middle Eastern waters. During that time, the strike group launched 135 Tomahawk missiles and 155 standard missiles at Houthi targets, a total cost of around $800 million.
Long-Standing US-Israel Military Deals
Israel has historically received military assistance from the United States. Before the Gaza war, Israel was already the largest recipient of US military aid, receiving about $3.8 billion annually. The new report from Brown University points out that the $17.9 billion given to Israel between October 2023 and September 2024 is a staggering increase. However, the authors of the report caution that this figure might still be an underestimate.
In August 2024, the Biden administration finalized a new deal, agreeing to send Israel $20.3 billion in FMF over the coming years. The US will deliver advanced warplanes like F-15 jets to Israel, though these deliveries will take time to complete.
Military Aid Advantages
Unlike other countries that receive US military aid, Israel benefits from a special financial arrangement known as “cash flow financing.” This system allows Israel to get its military supplies before US Congress officially approves the aid. Israel can buy large military items, such as advanced warplanes, and pay for them later.
The US also works closely with Israel to make sure it keeps its “qualitative military edge” over neighboring countries. For example, when the United Arab Emirates (UAE) made a deal to normalize relations with Israel, the US agreed to sell F-35 fighter jets to the UAE. The deal was canceled over concerns about the UAE’s growing defense ties with China.
The Impact of Massive Military Aid
As a key US ally in the Middle East, Israel continues to receive significant military support. This financial backing comes with powerful weapons, advanced technology, and a commitment from the US government to ensure Israel remains a dominant military power in the region. But the costs are rising quickly, with the US spending billions not only on supporting Israel directly but also on protecting its own interests in a region where conflicts seem to escalate by the day.