U.S. Quietly Strengthens Support for Israel

U.S. Increases Weapons Support for Israel

Revelations indicate that the United States is increasing its weapons support for Israel.

The U.S. supplies Israel with Hellfire ground-to-air missiles from Korea and other countries, even while pressuring Israel to minimize civilian casualties.

The U.S. Department of Defense supplies Israel with various weapons, from missiles and shells to the latest military vehicles, in addition to the previously known Iron Dome missile defense system and Boeing’s smart bombs, Bloomberg reported on the 13th (local time).

U.S. Department of Defense’s Weapons Supply

According to Bloomberg, which confirmed a weapons request list in the name of “senior Israeli leaders” circulating within the U.S. Department of Defense at the end of last month, as of the end of October, at least 36,000 rounds of 30mm machine gun ammunition for Apache (AH-64) helicopters, 1,800 rockets for M141 rocket launchers, and at least 3,500 night vision goggles have already been delivered to Israel.

Specifically, upon Israel’s request for 2,000 Hellfire ground-to-air missiles for Apache helicopters, the U.S. military located some quantity from Hellfire missile stocks in Germany and Korea and supplied them to Israel.

About this, the U.S. Department of Defense stated through a statement that it is rapidly supplying precision-guided weapons, small-caliber bombs, 155mm shells, etc., in addition to missiles for the Iron Dome system and medical support equipment.

The Department of Defense explained, “We are utilizing several ways, including our own stock and the U.S. industry, to ensure that Israel has the means to defend itself.”

The weapons requested by Israel from the U.S. include more than 57,000 155mm high-explosive shells, 20,000 M4A1 rifles, 5,000 PVS-14 night vision goggles, 3,000 M141 rockets, 400 120mm mortars, and 75 of the U.S. military’s latest vehicles, the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV).

In particular, of the 57,000 155mm shells, congressional aides and U.S. officials said that the U.S. military is returning the supplies sent from Israel to the U.S. European Command to replenish the ammunition supplied to Ukraine.

Extensive List of Requested Weapons

Israel also requested 600 Switchblade drones for anti-armor use and 200 suicide drones, which are currently not available to the U.S. military.

The U.S. also provided Israel with 312 Tamir interceptor missiles used in the Iron Dome system and is in the process of shipping two Iron Dome battalions to Israel by sea.

However, international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are criticizing that Israel has been able to push for attacks on the Gaza Strip, which have resulted in a large number of civilian deaths due to these weapon supplies from the U.S.

More than 30 international relief organizations sent a letter to U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on the same day, requesting not to supply weapons, especially 155mm shells, to Israel.

They pointed out that “155mm shells are naturally indiscriminate weapons in the Gaza Strip, one of the world’s most densely populated areas,” as they often deviate from the target by about 82 feet and lack guidance capabilities.

By. Hwang Soo Min