The US has cautioned Israel that it might halt weapon supplies if Gaza’s humanitarian crisis doesn’t improve.
This isn’t the first time Israel’s key ally has made such a threat. Last May, President Biden said he’d stop some weapon shipments if Israel invaded Rafah. However, Prime Minister Netanyahu continued the campaign, and US weapons kept flowing.
The latest warning, giving Israel 30 days to better the situation on the ground or risk breaking US foreign military aid laws, is a significant increase in pressure. It suggests US military support could be at risk.
While other nations have greatly cut their military aid to Israel over the past year, the US hasn’t.
Here’s a look at who provides weapons to Israel:
The United States:
The US is by far the largest arms supplier to Israel. In 2023, 69% of Israel’s weapon imports came from the US, according to a Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) report on international arms transfers. Germany was second, providing 30%, followed by Italy with 0.9%. The UK, France, and Spain were among other minor suppliers.
US-imported weapons “have been crucial in Israel’s military actions against Hamas and Hezbollah,” the think tank reported, noting that late in 2023, thousands of guided bombs and missiles were sent from the US to Israel. F-35 and F-15 fighter jets were also delivered to Israel from the US in January 2024.
CNN analysis has found multiple instances where US-made munitions were used throughout the war, including in strikes that killed civilians. Recently, CNN discovered that US-made 2,000-pound bombs were likely used in the Israeli attack that killed Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, in Beirut.
The United States also provides substantial financial support to Israel. Since 1948, over $130 billion in bilateral funding has been delivered, as reported by the US State Department. In 2019, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed, guaranteeing Israel an annual $3.3 billion from the Foreign Military Financing program, plus an additional $500 million for missile defense.
Germany:
While Germany supplied 30% of Israel’s weapons in 2023, this contribution has markedly decreased throughout 2024.
In early 2024, the International Court of Justice dismissed Nicaragua’s request to order Germany to cease military aid to Israel. A key factor in this decision was the significant reduction in German military assistance, which plummeted from about €200 million ($220 million) in October 2023 to just €1 million ($1.1 million) by March.
However, on October 10, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz affirmed that Germany hadn’t halted arms provision to Israel, stating, “We have supplied weapons and we will supply weapons.” He further mentioned that weapon deliveries to Israel would occur “in the near future.”
Historically, Israeli security has been a fundamental aspect of German foreign policy, rooted in the legacy of the Nazi Holocaust during World War II.
Italy:
According to SIPRI, Italy has supplied Israel with helicopters and firearms. It’s also involved in the F-35 fighter jet program, contributing to parts manufacturing.
However, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani informed local media in late January that Italy had suspended arms shipments to Israel since October 7 of the previous year. SIPRI noted that deals signed before this date were still being honored.
Pagella Politica, an Italian monitoring group, reported that Italian companies had sold arms worth nearly $129 million to Israel in the decade leading up to 2022.
The United Kingdom:
The British government describes its “exports of military goods to Israel” as “low.” In 2023, they granted licenses valued at $23.42 million. However, over the past year, the UK has suspended some licenses for military equipment to Israel.
Upon taking office in July, Foreign Minister David Lammy suspended around 30 out of 350 licenses to Israel. This decision followed an official assessment concluding there was a clear risk that the weapons could be used “to commit or facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian law.”
The suspension affected the supply of certain components for drones and F-35 fighter jets. Nevertheless, the UK government maintained the supply of materials not directly involved in the Israel-Hamas conflict, such as those used for training purposes.
Spain:
In February, Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation released a statement confirming that no arms sales to Israel had been approved since October 7 of the previous year.
On October 11, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez denounced what he termed an “unacceptable” Israeli offensive in Lebanon. He urged the global community to halt arms exports to Israel.
“We’re stressing the need for the Israeli government to stop its actions that violate international law by entering a third country, Lebanon, as well as International Humanitarian Law, which has been questioned even by the International Court of Justice,” he stated.
France:
Despite France’s history of supplying arms to Israel, recent weeks have seen a strain in their relationship. French President Emmanuel Macron called for an end to arms exports to Israel in an attempt to push for a ceasefire in Lebanon and Gaza.
On October 5, Macron advocated for a complete halt to the sale of weapons “used in the Gaza war,” emphasizing that France had not been involved in their provision. According to SIPRI, while their data shows no major French arms exports to Israel from 2019-23, France did supply weapon components.
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