On the fourth day of the Israeli-Palestinian war, the death toll on both sides exceeded 1,000 people, while more than 5,000 were wounded. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, more than 3 lakh people have been displaced in the Gaza Strip due to the Israeli-Palestinian war. On October 11, 2023, Gaza also lost electricity, and will likely run out of food and water as well.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to travel to Israel to meet with senior Israeli officials. The US has announced full support for Israel with F-35 fighters and guided missile carriers. In addition, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced that the US had sent the USS Gerald R Ford, the world’s largest aircraft carrier, and several warships. US President Biden said that additional equipment and military assistance is on the way.
In this article we will look at Israel’s military strength and how much funding it receives from the US. According to reports, Israel has one of the most powerful armies in the world, bolstered by military aid from the US. Let’s first understand Israel’s military strength in detail.
The Israeli army at a glance
According to the 2023 Military Balance of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), Israel reportedly has 169,500 active military personnel in its defense forces (army, navy and paramilitary). Additionally, there are 465,000 in Israel’s reserve forces. A military spokesman reported that about 300,000 Israeli troops were stationed near the Gaza Strip.
In Israel, military service is compulsory for Israeli citizens over the age of 18. After enlistment, men must serve for 32 months and women for 24 months.
According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), a research institute focused on conflict and armaments, Israel reportedly spent $23.4 billion on its military.
The Israeli army is one of the most powerful armies in the world. Some of its main land, air and naval weapons are as follows:
|
Land |
Air |
maritime |
|
(i) 2200+ tanks (ii) 530 artillery |
(i) 339 combat-capable aircraft including 309 fighter jets (196 F-16 jets, 83 F-15 jets, 30 F-35 jets) (ii) 142 helicopters including 43 Apache attack helicopters |
(i) 49 patrol and coastal fighters (ii) 5 submarines |
Israel also possesses the Iron Dome system, a mobile air defense system that can intercept and destroy short-range missiles using radar technology. The Iron Dome system began operating in 2011. It was built with the help of the USA.
Israel also possesses a nuclear force that includes Jericho missiles and aircraft capable of carrying nuclear warheads.
The Israeli-Palestinian War: A Comparison of Israeli Military Power and Palestinian Militant Groups
How much aid does Israel receive from the US?
In terms of military aid, Israel was the largest recipient of US military aid, receiving about $263 billion between 1946 and 2023. Israel also received an additional $10 billion for the Iron Dome system. That’s about twice as much as Egypt, which is the second largest recipient of US foreign aid. In 2023, Israel received $3.8 billion from the US as part of a $38 billion, 10-year deal signed in 2016 under the administration of former US President Barack Obama.
What are the international reactions to the recent Israeli-Palestinian conflict?
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Source: newstars.edu.vn