US, Israel finalise $5.2 billion in emergency aid to boost Israeli air defence

Officials from Israel’s Defence Ministry and the US Department of Defense have completed an exchange of letters that initiated the implementation of $5.2 billion in special emergency aid to strengthen Israeli air defence systems.

The American aid package will be used to reinforce and purchase Iron Dome systems, a David Sling and the Magen Or" (Iron Beam) under development, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

"Director General of the Israeli Ministry of Defence, Eyal Zamir, and US Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, Bill LaPlante, have concluded an exchange of letters that initiates the implementation of a special emergency aid package amounting to $5.2 billion to bolster Israel’s air defence systems," the statement said.

Notably, On October 16, the Biden administration cautioned Israel that it could face repercussions, including the potential suspension of US arms transfers if it does not act swiftly to allow more humanitarian aid into Gaza.

A letter, co-authored by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, urges Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to alleviate humanitarian suffering in the region by lifting restrictions on aid deliveries within 30 days or face unspecified policy "consequences."

The four-page document, dated October 13, was addressed to Israel’s Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer.

It surfaced after being shared on social media by Barak Ravid, an Israeli journalist for Axios, following what appears to have been a leak.

By Aghakazim Guliyev