Israel buys weapons from US valued at USD11B since beginning of Gaza war
(MENAFN) On Wednesday, Israel's Defense Ministry disclosed that the country has acquired USD11 billion worth of U.S. weapons since the onset of its military operations against Gaza on October 7, 2023. This substantial figure was announced alongside the appointment of Aviram Hasson as the new head of Israel’s mission to the United States. Hasson succeeds Mishel Ben Baruch, who had been in the role for the past five years.
The Defense Ministry's statement detailed that these acquisitions included a third squadron of F-35 fighter jets, along with engines for tanks and armored vehicles, and additional combat vehicles. The procurement also involved the transport of thousands of tons of military equipment to Israel, utilizing hundreds of flights and dozens of sea shipments, marking the highest procurement volume achieved in such a short period.
This announcement comes amid ongoing international criticism of Israel's military actions in Gaza, which have been described as a violation of a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire. The conflict, which began with an attack by the Palestinian group Hamas on October 7, 2023, has resulted in significant casualties and widespread devastation in Gaza. According to local health authorities, over 39,000 Palestinians have been killed and more than 91,000 injured. The blockade of essential supplies has further exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in the region.
The International Court of Justice has condemned Israel's actions as genocidal and ordered an immediate halt to military operations in the southern city of Rafah, where over a million Palestinians had taken refuge. Despite these international pressures and condemnation, Israel's military campaign continues, contributing to the severe humanitarian crisis and widespread destruction across Gaza.
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