Media: US officials warn of Israeli arms shortage as Trump pushes ceasefire

As efforts continue to uphold a tenuous ceasefire between Israel and Iran, new reports indicate that the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) are contending with critical shortages of weapons and ammunition.

According to NBC News, which cited unnamed US officials, Israel’s stockpiles of key armaments are dwindling at a time when regional stability remains precarious.

“The Israeli army is running low on some key weapons systems as President Trump attempts to maintain the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Iran. In particular, Israel is facing a significant shortage of ammunition,” the report stated.

The shortages come amid ongoing US military support for Israel, particularly in the wake of heavy Iranian missile attacks over the past two weeks. While Washington has stepped in to assist, concerns are emerging over the sustainability of that support.

Speaking before the Senate on June 24, Acting Chief of Naval Operations Admiral James Kilby acknowledged that the US Navy has enough missiles to continue defending Israel, but warned that the rate of usage is unsustainable. “We’re using them at an alarming rate,” Kilby said.

The arms strain on both militaries highlights the fragility of the current ceasefire, which was announced by President Donald Trump on the night of June 24. The president declared that Israel and Iran had agreed to halt hostilities, promising that the “official end of the 12-day war” would be recognised within 24 hours. Trump further declared that the truce would “last forever.”

However, the ceasefire has already shown signs of unravelling. Despite the announcement, missile strikes between the two nations continued. According to US media, President Trump privately expressed frustration with both Tel Aviv and Tehran for jeopardising the agreement. The report also noted that Trump was especially displeased with Israel, which he accused of launching strikes immediately after committing to the truce.

By Tamilla Hasanova