A new report by Brown University’s Cost of War Project has revealed that Israel’s war in Gaza was sustained largely through U.S. financial and military support. According to the study, Washington spent over $21 billion during the conflict, highlighting its central role in enabling Israel’s military operations.
The report states that Israel “could not have fought the Gaza war without U.S. support,” pointing to the massive scale of resources provided. These included not only direct military aid but also diplomatic backing and logistical assistance. Analysts believe this level of involvement underscores how closely tied the U.S. has been to the trajectory of the war.
The timing of the findings comes as Gaza’s health authorities continue to publish devastating figures on casualties and destruction. Civilian infrastructure has been severely damaged, and international humanitarian groups warn that the rebuilding process will take years, if not decades.
Experts say the report could spark renewed debate in Washington about America’s role in overseas conflicts. While U.S. officials maintain that their support for Israel is rooted in strategic partnership and security, critics argue that such heavy financial involvement has made the U.S. a direct party to the devastation.
The Cost of War Project, which has previously analyzed U.S. expenditures in Afghanistan and Iraq, described the Gaza conflict as another example of how prolonged wars drain resources and fuel humanitarian crises. Its researchers argue that the $21 billion spent could have been used to address pressing domestic needs, from healthcare to infrastructure.
In a broader context, this report also arrives at a time when science and international affairs are being closely watched for their global impact. For example, the recent recognition of three U.S. scientists winning the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics highlighted how American contributions can shape the future in vastly different ways through both innovation and international conflict.
As policymakers review these findings, the central question remains: should U.S. resources continue to be funneled into foreign wars, or redirected toward domestic progress? The report suggests that the answers may define America’s role in global politics for years to come.
