Biden administration’s material support for IDF continuing despite some calls to end military aid
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500 transport planes and 107 ships have delivered more than 50,000 tons of armaments and military equipment from the United States to Israel since the start of the war in Gaza last October 2023 the Defense Ministry said on Monday
The military equipment delivered to Israel since the beginning of the war includes “armored vehicles, munitions, ammunition, personal protection gear and medical equipment” according to the ministry
The deliveries are “crucial for sustaining the IDF’s operational capabilities during the ongoing war” The “large-scale logistical effort” has been carried out by the ministry’s Directorate of Production and Procurement, the ministry’s mission to the US, the IDF’s Planning Directorate and the Israeli Air Force
The US has continued to provide Israel with arms despite calls from some critics of Israel to stop supplying the country with arms amid the rising death toll reports coming out of Gaza
US President Joe Biden has continued to support US aid for Israel and said in April 2024 after signing a $17 billion aid package for Israel into law, that he would make sure that Israel has what it needs to defend itself against Iran and its proxies
However after Biden stepped down from the 2024 presidential race, many questioned whether the new Democratic candidate, US Vice President Kamala Harris, would follow the same policy
Earlier this month, Harris’s campaign issued a statement echoing Biden’s commitment to making sure Israel has what it needs to stay secure. During Harris’ speech accepting the Democratic Party’s nomination for president, Harris said
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“I will always stand up for Israel’s right to defend itself and I will always ensure Israel has the ability to defend itself”
The Biden administration withheld shipments of some heavy bombs from Israel amid concern over the Israeli incursion into south Gaza’s Rafah in the spring but part of that shipment has since been released
