U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has expedited $4 billion in military aid to Israel as part of a broader aim to enhance its security amid tensions with Hamas. The Trump administration has approved nearly $12 billion in arms sales to Israel. The recent conflict has resulted in significant casualties on both sides, raising urgent humanitarian and diplomatic concerns.
On Saturday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that he signed a declaration facilitating the expedited delivery of $4 billion in military assistance to Israel, underlining a commitment to Israeli security.
Since taking office, the Trump administration has authorized approximately $12 billion in significant foreign military sales to Israel. Rubio emphasized the use of all means available to counter ongoing security threats facing Israel, particularly in light of the recent conflict with Hamas.
Emergency authority was invoked by Rubio to speed up military aid amidst a tense ceasefire with Hamas, which commenced following a terror attack on Israel on October 7. This attack resulted in 1,200 Israeli fatalities, primarily civilians, and led to approximately 250 hostages being taken.
In retaliation, Israeli military operations in Gaza have reportedly caused over 48,000 Palestinian deaths, with many affected being women and children, according to health officials in Gaza.
On Friday, the Pentagon revealed the State Department’s approval of nearly $3 billion in advanced weaponry for Israel, including bombs and demolition kits. This military sale notification to Congress occurred through emergency channels, thereby bypassing the usual review process by congressional committee leaders.
This situation marks the second instance recently where the Trump administration has declared an emergency to expedite arms sales to Israel. Similarly, the Biden administration previously employed emergency measures for arms transfers.
Additionally, the Trump administration has revoked a Biden-era policy requiring the reporting of potential violations of international law concerning U.S. military supplies to allies like Israel, further streamlining military support.
The January 19 ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas ended 15 months of conflict, enabling discussions for a more lasting peace and facilitating the hostage exchanges of 33 Israelis from Gaza for approximately 2,000 Palestinians detained by Israel.
As the initial ceasefire phase neared its conclusion, Israel accepted a temporary ceasefire proposal for Ramadan and Passover periods. However, both Israel and Hamas have accused each other of ceasefire violations, raising uncertainties about the next phase of the agreement, which includes further hostage releases and steps toward a permanent resolution of the conflict.
In summary, the expedited delivery of military aid to Israel by Secretary of State Marco Rubio underscores the Trump administration’s commitment to Israeli security amid an ongoing conflict with Hamas. The recent escalation in military aid and arms sales highlights the severity of the situation, particularly given the tragic loss of life on both sides. Ongoing diplomatic efforts for a ceasefire and hostage exchanges indicate a crucial phase in resolving the conflict, yet concerns over future violations persist.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
