USA – Israel: $8.7 Billion Military Aid Agreement

While the United States believes that a “limited” ground invasion of Lebanon by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is possible, the Jewish state announced that it has “reached an agreement with Washington on an $8.7 billion aid package to support Israel’s ongoing military efforts.”

As Israel’s Defense Ministry wrote on X social network (formerly Twitter), “the US package includes $3.5 billion for major wartime purchases and $5.2 billion for air defense systems.” In recent days, Defense Ministry Director General Eyal Zamir has held a series of high-level meetings with US government officials, during which “strengthening strategic cooperation in the defense sector and the continuation of IDF procurement is carried out in both the short and long term.”

“These efforts are aimed at preserving Israel’s qualitative military advantage in the region and supporting ongoing operations. The visit underscores the strong strategic partnership between Israel and the United States, as well as Washington’s unwavering commitment to Israel’s security, especially in countering threats to regional security from Iran and Iranian-backed militias,” stressed Israel’s Defense Ministry, which, according to US television station CNN, is planning a ground operation in Lebanon.”

However, the USA believes that the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “has not yet made a final decision on this issue.” CNN quoted two US government sources whose assessment “is based on the mobilization of Israeli troops on the border and a series of actions that could be seen as preparations for a ground offensive into Lebanon.”

On Saturday, September 28, the possibility of an invasion was also mentioned by IDF spokesman Peter Lerner, who, however, called it “one of several options under consideration.” Israel’s stated goal is to allow more than 60,000 residents displaced by missiles launched by Hezbollah from Lebanon to return to their homes in the north.