Israel’s prolonged military campaign in Gaza, now entering its tenth month, has resulted in significant civilian casualties and extensive destruction, largely facilitated by arms supplied by Western nations. Germany, as Israel’s second-largest arms provider after the US, plays a crucial role in exacerbating the crisis despite widespread international condemnation and calls for an end to arms sales. Alongside the US, Italy, and the UK, Germany continues to supply military equipment that intensifies the violence and suffering in Gaza.
These weapons have been instrumental in the deaths of more than 38,000 Palestinians in Gaza and the devastation of much of the besieged enclave. Israel’s blockade has further exacerbated the humanitarian crisis by restricting essential supplies like food, water, and medicine. Despite global efforts, including a UN Human Rights Council proposal for an arms embargo on Israel, countries like the US and Germany have opposed such measures, maintaining their position as Israel’s primary arms suppliers.
Here’s a breakdown of the military support provided by these countries to Israel:
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US:
The US is the largest arms supplier to Israel, accounting for 69% of Tel Aviv’s imports of conventional weapons from 2019 to 2023. Since the beginning of the recent conflict in Gaza, the US has significantly increased its military aid to Israel, approving over 100 foreign military sales. This support includes a wide range of weapons and munitions, such as air defenses, precision-guided munitions, artillery shells, and small arms.
Germany:
As the second-largest exporter of major conventional weapons to Israel, Germany has supplied submarines, warships, vehicle engines, torpedoes, and other military equipment. Berlin has approved significant arms exports to Israel, including submarines and torpedoes, with Germany partially funding some of these transactions. German-supplied equipment, including armored personnel carriers and tanks, has been actively deployed in Gaza, contributing to the ongoing conflict.
Italy:
Italy ranks as the third-largest arms exporter to Israel, with recent exports including weapons and ammunition valued at millions of euros. Despite the humanitarian consequences of Israel’s military actions in Gaza, Italy has continued to export firearms and related accessories, further fueling the conflict.
UK:
The UK remains involved in supplying components for Israel’s fighter jets, including the F-15, F-16, and F-35. Despite calls to halt arms sales to Israel amid the Gaza crisis, the UK has defended its export licenses, stating that its defense exports to Israel are relatively small compared to other suppliers.
In summary, these Western nations persist in supplying military equipment to Israel despite international outcry, contributing to the ongoing violence and humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
