The United States has paused a shipment of weapons to Israel, including heavy bunker-busting bombs that Israeli forces have utilized in their Gaza operations, resulting in significant casualties among Palestinians, totaling nearly 35,000 in seven months.
The US stands as Israel’s primary arms supplier in the Middle East, with Germany and Italy following suit. Canada and the Netherlands have ceased arms exports to Israel due to concerns over potential violations of international humanitarian law.
From 2019 to 2023, the US provided 69 percent of Israel’s military aid, with Germany contributing around 30 percent and Italy accounting for 1 percent.
Although the UK is not a major supplier to Israel, it granted export licenses worth at least £42 million ($52.6 million) for defense equipment sales to Israel last year.
Canada suspended arms export licenses to Israel starting January 8, with the freeze continuing until Ottawa can ensure compliance with humanitarian law. Similarly, the Dutch government halted shipments of F-35 jet parts to Israel in February following a court ruling indicating a risk of humanitarian law violations.
Japan, Spain, and Belgium also joined in suspending arms sales in response to Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
