The U.S.'s top general disclosed on Thursday that Washington has not fulfilled all requested military arms to Israel as the conflict in Gaza persists, drawing condemnation from various political factions.
General Charles Q. Brown, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, stated that while the U.S. has been providing support to Israel, not all requested equipment has been supplied. Brown mentioned that some requests were beyond the U.S.'s capacity or current willingness to provide.
The specifics of the military equipment withheld from Israel were not detailed by Brown, and the Pentagon declined to provide further information on the matter. A statement from a Pentagon spokesperson emphasized that assessing U.S. stockpiles and readiness is standard practice before providing military aid to allies.
Despite the ongoing conflict, the U.S. continues to offer security assistance to Israel in its defense against Hamas. The impact of U.S. support for Ukraine on weapon stockpiles and aid to Israel remains uncertain.
The U.S.'s stance on Israel has sparked debate domestically and internationally, with concerns raised about civilian casualties in Gaza. Human rights advocates, Democrats, and Western allies have criticized the death toll in Gaza and the perceived response to the Hamas attack in October.
According to Israeli figures, the Hamas attack resulted in the killing of 1,200 Israeli civilians and the abduction of 253 hostages. The Hamas health ministry claims over 32,000 Palestinian deaths in Gaza during Israel's military offensive.
The U.N. Security Council recently passed a resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire, facilitated by the U.S.'s decision to abstain from voting. The Biden administration has adjusted its position on the conflict, with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin expressing concern over the high death toll in Gaza and inadequate humanitarian aid due to Israeli restrictions.
