Israel’s ability to engage in conflicts throughout the Middle East has been heavily supported by the United States, with more than $21 billion in financial backing since October 2023, as detailed in recent reports. The Costs of War Project at Brown University highlighted that without US funding and weaponry, Israel would not have been able to sustain its military actions in Gaza, instigate conflicts with Iran, or conduct airstrikes in Yemen.
Analysts and the reports emphasized the crucial role of US financial and diplomatic assistance in enabling Israel to carry out its military campaigns in Gaza and the broader region. Since an attack in October 2023, Israel’s actions have resulted in over 4,000 casualties in Lebanon, incursions into Lebanese and Syrian territories, attacks on Iran’s consulate in Damascus, a 12-day conflict with Iran, and exchanges of fire with Yemen’s Houthis. The reports underscore that Israel’s engagement in these conflicts would not have been sustainable without ongoing US support.
The report titled “US Military Aid and Arms Transfers to Israel, October 2023–September 2025” by William D Hartung from the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, along with a companion report by Linda J Bilmes from the Harvard Kennedy School, calculated that the US allocated between $31.35 billion to $33.77 billion in military aid to Israel and military operations since October 7, 2023. These findings demonstrate how US assistance has enabled Israel to continue its military operations on multiple fronts for an extended period.
The reports and analysts highlighted the critical role of US arms in facilitating Israel’s actions. Significantly, Israel has been a major beneficiary of US foreign aid, receiving the largest annual assistance of around $3.3 billion and accumulating over $150 billion until 2022. Hartung’s report specifically noted the substantial arms sales commitments made by the administrations of both President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, ensuring continuous military support for Israel in the years ahead.