The United States has provided $6.5 billion in security assistance to Israel since the outbreak of the war against the Hamas terror organization on Oct. 7, according to a senior Biden administration official. This previously undisclosed figure was revealed following talks with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and his delegation to Washington this week, The Washington Post reported Thursday.
The substantial aid package, which includes nearly $3 billion approved in May, comes amid recent tensions between the two allies over the pace of arms transfers.
"This is a massive, massive undertaking," the senior official stated, speaking on condition of anonymity. The disclosure aims to highlight the depth and complexity of US support for Israel.
To address Israeli concerns about potential delays in aid delivery, US arms transfer experts conducted a thorough review of "hundreds of separate items" with their Israeli counterparts during Gallant's four-day visit. This effort sought to counter claims of "bottlenecks" in the arms flow, allegations recently made by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and described as "perplexing" and "inaccurate" by the White House.
Gallant emphasized the importance of US support during a press briefing. "Our ties with the United States are the second-most important element for Israel's security," he said, highlighting the need for American diplomatic, political, and material assistance.
The defense minister reported "significant progress" in addressing obstacles and expediting various issues, particularly regarding force build-up and munition supply. "Obstacles were removed and bottlenecks were addressed in order to advance a variety of issues," Gallant stated.
The senior US official acknowledged the complexities of the arms transfer process while noting potential misunderstandings on the Israeli side regarding specific requests. "In terms of bottlenecks, it is a complicated, bureaucratic system that we have for good reason," the official explained, citing obligations to Congress, laws, and regulations.
Describing the visit as "highly constructive and productive," the official praised Gallant's "professional approach."
Despite the ongoing flow of arms, the Biden administration continues to withhold a shipment of 2,000-pound bombs, citing concerns about their potential use in densely populated areas.
During his visit, Gallant met with key US national security officials, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan. Discussions covered various topics, including efforts to secure a Gaza ceasefire, the return of Israeli hostages, and plans for Gaza's future governance. Some 120 Israeli hostages are still being held hostage by Hamas terrorists, 43 of whom have been declared dead.
Other topics of discussion included Iran's escalating production of weapons-grade nuclear fuel and ongoing disputes over humanitarian aid distribution in Gaza.
