Israel’s foreign minister on Wednesday thanked the US Senate for approving $13 billion in military aid that he said sent a “strong message” to the country’s enemies.
“I thank the US Senate for passing the Israel aid package tonight with an overwhelming bipartisan majority,” Israel Katz posted on social media site X shortly after the US Congress gave its final approval to the aid package.
“The Israel aid package that now passed both houses of Congress is a clear testament to the strength of our alliance and sends a strong message to all our enemies,” Katz added.
He also thanked Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Republican Leader Mitch McConnell “for your unwavering commitment to Israel’s security. The Israel-US strategic partnership is unbreakable”.
US President Joe Biden pledged to quickly sign a $61 billion bill — also including aid packages for Ukraine and Taiwan — after Congress gave its final approval, saying delivery of the much-needed aid would begin this week, TRT World Reported.
The United States gives Israel $3.8 billion in annual military dole and often shields its ally at the United Nations, TRT added.
The approval comes as the war in Gaza enters its 201st day.
The conflict was triggered by an October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas militants that resulted in the deaths of 1,170 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures.
Since then, Israel has vowed to eliminate Hamas and engaged in a blistering assault on the militant group that rules the Gaza Strip.
The US military still has concerns about a potential Israeli ground invasion in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, the Pentagon has said.
The Palestinian territory’s health ministry said 34,183 people have been killed in Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, most of them women and children.
