Israel, Gaza and U.S. Military Aid

The basics

Israel is the largest total recipient of U.S. foreign aid since World War II, about $174 billion in bilateral and missile defense aid, not adjusted for inflation¹. A 2016 agreement, called a memorandum of understanding, covers fiscal years 2019 through 2028: $3.3 billion a year in military financing plus $500 million a year for joint missile defense¹.

After the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, Congress passed extra aid. The Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2024 included $3.5 billion in military financing, $4 billion for missile defense and $1.2 billion for the Iron Beam laser defense system¹.

In 2024 the Biden administration paused a shipment of 2,000-pound bombs over concerns about their use in Rafah¹. In November 2024, Senate resolutions to block some arms sales to Israel failed, with at most 19 senators in favor¹. In 2025 the Trump administration released the bomb shipment and used emergency authority to speed about $4 billion in arms deliveries; the Secretary of State said nearly $12 billion in major sales had been approved since the administration took office¹.

A ceasefire was announced on October 10, 2025². On November 17, 2025, the UN Security Council passed Resolution 2803 by 13 to 0, with China and Russia abstaining, endorsing the U.S.-brokered plan, a Board of Peace chaired by President Trump, and a temporary International Stabilization Force²⁸. The plan secured the release of all hostages, but the UN reported more than 1,000 Palestinians killed after the ceasefire was announced, and nearly all of Gaza's 2.1 million people remain displaced². On July 30, 2026, President Trump announced that the Board of Peace had reached a staged Hamas disarmament agreement; a senior Hamas official said Israel must withdraw first³. On August 9, 2026, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel rejected the 15-point roadmap and would not withdraw from Gaza until Hamas was fully disarmed⁷.

In a September 2025 Pew survey, 33% of U.S. adults said the U.S. gives Israel too much military aid, 23% said the right amount, 8% said not enough and 35% were unsure⁴.

Key terms

Memorandum of understanding (MOU)

A 10-year U.S.-Israel agreement setting expected military aid. The current one, signed in 2016, runs from fiscal 2019 to 2028¹.

Foreign Military Financing (FMF)

U.S. grants that let partner countries buy weapons and defense services. Israel receives $3.3 billion a year under the MOU¹.

Joint resolution of disapproval

A measure Congress can use to try to block a proposed foreign arms sale¹.

Board of Peace

The body endorsed by UN Security Council Resolution 2803 as a transitional administration for Gaza, chaired by President Trump².

BDS

Boycott, divestment and sanctions, a movement urging economic pressure on Israel. Texas bars many state contracts with companies that boycott Israel⁵⁶.

In Texas

Texas passed House Bill 89 in 2017 to limit state contracts with and investments in companies that boycott Israel; it was signed on May 2, 2017⁶. A 2019 law, House Bill 793, narrowed the contract rule to companies with 10 or more full-time employees and contracts worth $100,000 or more⁵. Covered companies must verify in writing that they do not and will not boycott Israel during the contract⁵.

Foreign aid itself is set by Congress and the President, so Texas's role comes through its members of Congress and its own contracting and investment rules.

How people see it

The strongest case for each view, in terms its supporters would recognize. We don't pick a side.

Questions to ask a candidate

• Should the next U.S.-Israel aid agreement after 2028 be larger, the same, smaller, or not renewed?
• Should U.S. military aid to Israel come with conditions? If so, which?
• What should the U.S. do to make the Gaza ceasefire hold?
• Should Texas keep its law barring state contracts with companies that boycott Israel?