On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on southern Israel, coinciding with the one-year anniversary of the ongoing conflict between Israel and the militant organization. The United States has significantly intensified its involvement in the situation, providing substantial military support. On this noteworthy date, President Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden, and Rabbi Alexander from the Adas Israel congregation gathered at the White House to light candles in remembrance of the Hamas attacks on Israel.
A report from Brown University’s Costs of War Project indicates that the U.S. has offered at least $17.9 billion in military aid to Israel since the onset of the conflict, marking a record amount. In the aftermath of the October 7 attack, the U.S. pledged an additional $4.86 billion to bolster military operations in the region. This funding plays a critical role in various military efforts, including naval operations against Houthi rebels in Yemen, who have often targeted essential commercial shipping routes in solidarity with Hamas.
This report represents the first set of data analyzing the financial ramifications of U.S. military aid to Israel and associated operations, completed shortly before a new front began involving Hezbollah, an Iran-backed group, engaging with Israel.
The report notably reveals that Israel has received more U.S. military assistance than any other country, amassing $251.2 billion in aid since 1959 (adjusted for inflation). Despite this longstanding support, the $17.9 billion allocated over the past year alone constitutes the highest annual military aid package ever sent to Israel.
Researchers have pointed out that, in contrast to the publicly reported aid to Ukraine, they lacked comprehensive data detailing all U.S. assistance to Israel since October 7. As a result, the figure of $17.9 billion may not fully encompass the total military support provided by the U.S.
The financial implications of U.S. wars have been evaluated by Linda J. Bilmes, a professor at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, along with her colleagues William D. Hartung and Stephen Semler, as they assessed the total costs of American military engagements since the September 11 attacks.
Beyond the economic impact, the human toll has been devastating. During the initial attack, Hamas militants killed over 1,200 individuals in Israel and captured others as hostages. In retaliation, Israeli military actions have reportedly led to nearly 42,000 deaths in Gaza, encompassing both civilians and combatants, according to the health ministry in the region.
