It has been revealed that the United States is importing weapons from countries such as Germany and Korea and sending them to Israel, which is at war with the Palestinian armed faction Hamas.
On the 15th (local time), Bloomberg News cited an internal document from the U.S. Department of Defense and reported that U.S. weapons support to Israel is quietly increasing.
According to reports, the United States is providing various weapons to Israel, including the Iron Dome air defense system and smart bombs, as well as Hellfire laser-guided missiles mounted on Apache helicopters, 155mm artillery shells, night vision devices, bunker buster ammunition, and military vehicles.
Bloomberg reviewed a list of weapons requests from senior Israeli leaders circulating within the Pentagon. Looking at the weapons provided specifically, 36,000 rounds of 30mm cannon ammunition for Apache helicopters, 1,800 rounds of M141 bunker buster ammunition, and at least 3,500 night vision goggles were sent to Israel.
In particular, it was revealed that some of the approximately 2,000 Hellfire laser-guided missiles, ammunition for Apache helicopter gunships, were taken from inventories in Germany and Korea and transferred to the Israeli military.
“Israel is using multiple channels, from internal inventories to U.S. industry, to secure the means to defend itself,” the Pentagon said in a statement.
Israel reportedly requested more than 57,000 rounds of 155mm artillery shells, 20,000 M4A1 rifles, 5,000 PVS-14 night vision goggles, 3,000 rounds of M141 portable bunker buster rounds, 400 120mm mortars, and 75 new joint tactical vehicles.
The United States also provided inventory of 312 Tamir missile interceptors, according to the count. The two Iron Dome batteries are being transported to Israel by sea.
The United States has transferred 155mm artillery shells from Israel to the U.S. Military European Command to replenish depleted inventories while supporting the shortage of 155mm artillery shells due to support for Ukraine. However, the media reported that as the war against Hamas broke out, this quantity was being sent back to Israel.
Additionally, Israel is known to have requested 200 Switchblade 600 unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) that can penetrate armor. However, the US military does not currently possess this weapon.
Bloomberg pointed out, “Weapons support continues even as officials in the U.S. Joe Biden administration are paying increasing attention to Israel to avoid civilian casualties in the Gaza Strip.”
In fact, according to the health authorities in the Gaza Strip run by Hamas, more than 10,000 people have died in the Gaza Strip due to Israel’s ground operations, worsening public opinion in the international community.
On the 13th, more than 30 aid organizations sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin urging that 155mm artillery shells should not be provided to Israel. They argue that using 155mm artillery shells in the densely populated Gaza Strip could cause civilian casualties.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.