Rubio Expedites $4 Billion Military Aid to Israel Amidst Ongoing Conflict

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has expedited $4 billion in military aid to Israel, emphasizing U.S. support amidst ongoing conflict with Hamas. The Trump administration has authorized significant military sales to Israel while bypassing regular congressional procedures. Despite a ceasefire agreement, both Israel and Hamas have accused each other of violations, complicating peace efforts.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the expedited delivery of approximately $4 billion in military aid to Israel. The Trump administration, which began on January 20, has authorized nearly $12 billion in significant foreign military sales to Israel, affirming the commitment to Israeli security and the need to counter security threats.

Rubio utilized emergency authority to accelerate military assistance to Israel amidst a fragile ceasefire with Hamas, the terrorist organization designated by the U.S. The war began with a Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 Israelis, primarily civilians, and taking 250 hostages. The conflict has led to more than 48,000 Palestinian casualties, according to Gaza health officials.

Recently, the Pentagon revealed that the State Department had sanctioned a potential sale of nearly $3 billion in military equipment to Israel. This emergency notification to Congress circumvented traditional procedures, allowing for expedited sales without prior review or request for additional information.

This marks the second instance in weeks where the Trump administration used emergency measures to approve arms sales to Israel, paralleling the Biden administration’s previous actions under similar circumstances. Additionally, on January 19, the Trump administration retracted a Biden-era regulation requiring reports on potential international law violations involving U.S.-supplied weapons to allies, including Israel.

The ceasefire agreement achieved on January 19 concluded 15 months of conflict and initiated discussions aimed at a permanent resolution. This agreement also led to the release of 33 Israeli hostages and around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. However, tensions remain as both sides claim violations of the ceasefire, complicating prospects for further negotiations and a lasting peace.

In summary, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has expedited $4 billion in military aid to Israel amidst a tenuous ceasefire with Hamas. The Trump administration’s ongoing commitment to Israeli security includes considerable military sales, while circumventing standard congressional procedures has raised concerns. The recently established ceasefire has allowed for negotiations, yet hostilities and accusations of violations continue to loom, jeopardizing future agreements.

Original Source: www.voanews.com