Billions in aid, thousands of deaths: How US arms are fuelling Gaza’s devastation

SHAH ALAM - Over the past year, the United States (US) has supplied more than 50,000 tonnes of weapons to Israel, amounting to billions of dollars in military aid.

These weapons have been central to the Israeli military's operations in Gaza, contributing significantly to the widespread devastation and loss of life in the region.

Data from the non-profit organisation Institute for Middle East Understanding (IMEU) Policy Project revealed that Israel received over 600 shipments of weapons from the US between Oct 2023 and Aug 2024, averaging a new delivery every 12 hours.

These shipments enabled Israel to drop over 75,000 tonnes of bombs on Gaza, an amount equivalent to more than five Hiroshima atomic bombs.

“For a year the US has supplied over 50,000 tonnes of weapons totalling billions of dollars that the Israeli military has used to destroy life in Gaza, inflicting a scale of violence and civilian harm that the International Court of Justice has determined to be a plausible genocide.

“This is the opposite of what the American people overwhelmingly want. 61 per cent of Americans want our government to stop sending weapons to Israel as they target civilians in Gaza and Lebanon,” the post read.

There was a growing call for a ceasefire and a re-evaluation of US foreign policy to focus on a just and lasting peace that addresses the root causes of the conflict.

The genocide has been exacerbated by substantial financial and military support for Israel, with over $111 billion in military aid and arms sales, according to data shared by Instagram account @letstalkPalestine.

Since the genocide reignited on Oct 7, last year, Gaza has experienced relentless airstrikes and ground attacks, turning one of the world's most densely populated areas into a battlefield.

The continuous flow of US arms had not only escalated the violence but also fuelled massive destruction and a growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The toll on the civilian population has been catastrophic. According to Gaza's Health Ministry, more than 41,000 Palestinians have been killed, including nearly 16,765 children.

Thousands more were injured, missing or trapped under rubble. The death toll continues to rise as the conflict persists.

The Lancet medical journal estimated that, when factoring in deaths from related causes such as starvation and disease, the total death toll could reach as high as 335,500 lives—representing 14 per cent of Gaza’s population.

Meanwhile, the financial burden on American taxpayers is notable, though starkly imbalanced in its distribution.

Over the past year, the median American taxpayer contributed roughly $107 in taxes to fund Israeli military operations, while only $24 went toward the Homeless Assistance Grants programme.

According to the IMEU Policy Project, Congress allocated $18 billion in military aid to Israel last year—far exceeding the $9.2 billion allocated to the Environmental Protection Agency.

The destruction in Gaza went beyond the immediate casualties.

Reports from the United Nations and the Palestinian government indicated that more than half of Gaza’s homes had been damaged or destroyed, 80 per cent of commercial facilities were no longer functional, and nearly 87 per cent of school buildings had been affected.

Healthcare infrastructure was also critically impaired, with only 17 out of 36 hospitals partially operational.

The damage to essential services, road networks, and agricultural land has pushed Gaza into a deeper humanitarian crisis.

As the US continues to supply arms to Israel, the consequences for Gaza and its people remain severe and far-reaching.

To move toward a future of peace and stability, many believed it was crucial for the international community to address the ongoing military support and seek solutions that ensure equality, freedom, and self-determination for the Palestinian people.