With the Israel-Hamas conflict nearing its third week, the US has taken a clear stand as a steadfast ally of Israel, offering both political and military support.
It has played the same tune as Israel when it comes to a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, which has been pummelled by Israeli bombs that have now killed more than 7,000 Palestinians, including over 2,900 children and more than 1,700 women.
At the diplomatic level, it has opposed resolutions calling for a ceasefire, pushing, instead, its own proposals for temporary “humanitarian pauses”.
On the military front, the support has ranged from arms and ammunition, to consultancy from top-level commanders.
She said Israel is already the largest recipient of US foreign aid, with primary focus being on defence and military assistance. Annually, Israel receives nearly $4 billion in defence aid from Washington.
According to her, President Joe Biden’s administration has already sent the “USS Gerald R. Ford” carrier strike group to the Eastern Mediterranean and another one is on the way.
Each of these carriers has more than 70 aircraft on board with considerable firepower, she said.
“The Biden administration also placed thousands of troops on standby … ready to move in the region if things escalate,” she added.
According to Murat Aslan, a defence expert at Turkish think tank, Foundation for Political, Economic, and Social Research (SETA), US military aid to Israel is “security assistance” and a “one-way commitment”, with no expectations of financial compensation from the other side.
Along with weapons, the US is also providing intelligence assets and consultation by experienced commanders of the US military, he added.
Arms and advice
According to the official X account of Israel’s Defence Ministry, the country, last week, received its 45th cargo plane from the US, carrying 1,000 tons of armaments.
Additionally, the US contributed by sending a cargo shipment of armoured vehicles to replace those damaged in the conflict.
According to Aslan, the kind of weapons coming from the US would depend on the type of operation that Israel could be planning, particularly the expected ground offensive on the Gaza Strip.
“They have to clear obstacles. They have to move fast and they have to be prepared for booby traps, improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and also snipers,” he told Anadolu.
In this sense, the US is expected to provide ammunition and equipment that could help destroy the obstacles and neutralise the snipers.
Source : MEMO