US President Donald Trump has announced that his administration will discontinue the decade-long military assistance arrangement that provides Israel with $3.8 billion annually.
The agreement, which is due to expire in 2028, was negotiated under former President Barack Obama in 2016 and took effect in 2019.
Trump disclosed the decision on Tuesday, indicating that Israel had accepted the planned termination of the security assistance package.
He, however, suggested that Washington would not completely withdraw its support for the Middle Eastern ally, saying the United States would provide assistance whenever necessary.
“Israel is fine with it. We’ll help Israel if they need it,” Trump said.
The $3.8 billion annual package has been a major component of US military support for Israel, reflecting the longstanding defence relationship between both countries.
The announcement signals a potential shift in the structure of Washington's military assistance to Israel, although Trump did not provide details about alternative arrangements or the timeline for ending the funding.
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