Diplomacy
Israel, US Negotiating New Multiyear Military Aid Agreement
Anadolu · yesterday · Read the Full Story on Anadolu
AI SUMMARY
Israel and the United States are negotiating a new multiyear military aid agreement that would gradually phase out direct aid after 2028 while increasing funding for joint defense systems.
- Israel and the US are negotiating a new multiyear military aid agreement to finalize before the new US Congress is sworn in in January.
- The Democratic Party won control of Congress from the Republican Party in the November 3 midterm elections.
- Direct US military aid to Israel is expected to be reduced by shortening the usual 10-year framework to five years after the current agreement expires in 2028, ending completely thereafter.
- Washington is expected to increase funding for the joint development of air and missile defense systems from $500 million annually to an undisclosed sum.
- Negotiations involve teams from both countries, including representatives of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and officials from Israel's Defense Ministry and embassy.
- Under the existing framework, Israel receives $3.3 billion annually through the US Foreign Military Financing program, totaling $33 billion over 10 years.
- The proposed agreement is expected to maintain a similar annual level of direct aid for five years, totaling around $16.5 billion.
- Some members of Congress oppose reducing military assistance because much of the funding is spent in US states supporting American defense companies and jobs.
- More than 74,000 Palestinians have been killed and over 175,000 injured in Gaza since October 2023, with around 90% of infrastructure damaged or destroyed, according to Palestinian authorities.
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