U.S. and Israel Discuss Halving Total Military Aid Commitment and Ending Direct Funding by 2033, Ynet Reports

The United States and Israel are negotiating a military aid agreement that would maintain roughly $3.3 billion in annual U.S. weapons financing for five years after 2028, then end direct assistance by 2033, according to a November 9 report by Israeli news outlet ynet. ⠀ Under the proposal, the direct funding commitment would fall from $33 billion over 10 years to approximately $16.5 billion over five years. The reduction would halve the overall package, not the yearly allocation. The existing agreement remains in effect through 2028. ⠀ The proposed deal would also increase separate U.S. funding for joint missile defense, currently $500 million annually, although no new amount has been set. That program supports systems including Iron Dome, David’s Sling and Arrow. ⠀ The negotiations follow President Donald Trump’s November 3 announcement that he and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had agreed to end U.S. military aid by the close of 2026. The emerging framework instead provides for continued direct financing beyond that date. ⠀ Negotiators hope to finalize the agreement by December, before a Democratic-controlled Congress takes office in January. Teams working on behalf of Secretary of State Marco Rubio are negotiating with Israeli defense and embassy officials. ⠀ Israeli officials fear the incoming Congress could delay or restrict future funding, particularly if Netanyahu remains prime minister. Although a bilateral memorandum of understanding does not itself require Senate ratification, Congress must approve appropriations each year. An Israeli official described the proposed shift as moving from a model of aid to one of partnership.