Unwavering US Military and Diplomatic Support for Israel Persists Three Years Into Gaza Conflict

Three years into Israel's military offensive in Gaza, official US support remains largely unchanged. Under both former President Joe Biden and current President Donald Trump, Washington has continued nearly complete unconditional military aid to Israel since October 7, 2023, even as the wider region became embroiled in conflict, including the US-Israeli war with Iran.

This aid has persisted despite tame criticisms from administrations regarding the military offensive led by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, repeated violations of a ceasefire reached the previous year, and ongoing roadblocks to lasting peace. At least 74,243 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel that killed at least 1,139 people, with an additional 1,460 Palestinians killed since the October 11, 2025 ceasefire went into effect.

Former Department of State official Josh Paul, who now operates the A New Policy lobbying firm, noted that the US has maintained unconditional support for Israel encompassing finances, arms transfers, and diplomatic backing under both administrations. Defense analyst William Hartung emphasized that the extensive weaponry supplied by the US links the nation directly to the responsibility for the devastation in Gaza.

Since October 7, 2023, the US has provided at least $25.5bn in direct appropriations to Israel, funded by US taxpayers. This includes $3.8bn a year under a 10-year memorandum of understanding signed during the administration of former President Barack Obama in 2016, covering fiscal years 2024, 2025, and 2026, alongside a $14.1bn supplemental security package passed by Congress in April 2024. The funding utilizes Foreign Military Financing for US-made arms transfers, offshore procurements for Israel's domestic arms industry, and resources to replenish weapons stocks and maintain air defense systems like the Iron Dome, David's Sling, and Iron Beam.

In addition to direct appropriations, the US has approved at least $33.16bn in arms transfers to Israel since October 7, 2023. The State Department has repeatedly bypassed congressional oversight by declaring national security emergencies, greenlighting shipments such as 120mm tank munitions, F-15 fighter jets and parts valued at $18.82bn, and a $7.4bn package of bombs, guidance kits, fuses, and Hellfire missiles approved after President Donald Trump took office in 2025. Representative Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, placed a hold on a $2.8bn transfer of 40,000 2,000-pound bombs in September due to concerns over civilian protections.

Diplomatically, the US has continuously shielded Israel, including casting vetoes against six separate UN Security Council resolutions calling for an end to the war prior to the October 11, 2025 ceasefire. Furthermore, the US launched a pressure campaign against the International Criminal Court (ICC) after arrest warrants were issued for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, with President Donald Trump issuing an executive order to sanction the court and Secretary of State Marco Rubio pledging to dismantle the tribunal. Funding was also blocked for an independent commission launched by the UN Human Rights Council and the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA).

Despite executive branch consistency, domestic US political sentiment has shifted. A May New York Times/Siena poll indicated that roughly 68 percent of Democrats opposed additional economic and military support, while Gallup noted a drop in Republican sympathy toward Israelis. Lawmakers such as US Senator Bernie Sanders have introduced legislation to block certain weapons sales, citing the use of US munitions in high-profile civilian deaths, while other lawmakers have sought to deeply integrate the US and Israeli militaries via the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2027.