- The US House of Representatives approved $3.3 billion in military aid for ‘Israel’ for fiscal year 2026, fulfilling a long-standing $3.8 billion annual commitment when combined with missile defence funding.
- The funding package restricts assistance to Palestinians based on “benchmarks”, as Gaza enters a “Phase Two” ceasefire transition marked by reports of continued casualties and unresolved withdrawal timelines.
The United States House of Representatives approved a funding package on Wednesday that allocates $3.3 billion in military assistance to Israel as part of the fiscal year 2026 appropriations.
The $3.3 billion designated for ‘Israel’ falls under the Foreign Military Financing program, which enables the procurement of advanced weapons systems.
When combined with an additional $500 million allocated through the US defence budget for anti-missile initiatives, this fulfils the annual $3.8 billion commitment outlined in the 2016 Memorandum of Understanding between the US and Israel, set to expire in 2028.
The legislation passed with strong bipartisan backing, securing a vote of 341 to 79 in the House.
The package also imposes restrictions on aid to Palestinians, including bans on funding for entities linked to “terrorism” according to the US and its compliance with benchmarks.
The US announced earlier this week the start of “Phase Two” of the Gaza ceasefire.
‘Israel’ has carried out repeated ceasefire violations, including air strikes, firing on civilians and advancing the so-called “Yellow Line,” an informal boundary separating areas under ‘Israeli’ military control from those under Hamas authority.
Gaza’s health ministry said ‘Israeli’ forces had killed 451 people since the ceasefire took effect.
Aid agencies say ‘Israel’ has not allowed the volume of humanitarian assistance envisaged under phase one, a claim ‘Israel’ rejects.
Gaza, whose borders and access points remain under ‘Israeli’ control, continues to face severe shortages of food, clean water, medicine and fuel.
