What percentage of Israel's military aid comes from the United States and which countries have suspended arms sales to Israel in light of recent events?
Gaza Humanitarian Crisis Deepens as Ceasefire Talks Collapse and Israel Intensifies Attacks
In a significant move that has reverberated across the international community, the United States has suspended a shipment of weapons to Israel, including heavy bunker-busting bombs that have been utilized in the ongoing conflict in Gaza. This decision comes amidst mounting concerns over the humanitarian impact of the conflict, which has claimed the lives of nearly 35,000 Palestinians in the span of seven months.
The US, as the primary arms supplier to Israel, has been joined by other major players in the arms trade, such as Germany and Italy, in halting weapon shipments to the Middle Eastern nation. Canada and the Netherlands have also taken similar steps, citing worries that the arms could be used in ways that violate international humanitarian law.
Statistics reveal the extent of Israel's reliance on these arms shipments, with the US accounting for 69% of its military aid, followed by Germany at 30% and Italy at 1%. While Britain has not been a significant supplier, it granted export licenses amounting to at least 42 million pounds ($52.5m) of defense equipment to Israel last year.
The global response to Israel's military actions has been swift, with countries like Canada, the Netherlands, Japan, Spain, and Belgium suspending arms sales in light of the recent offensive in Gaza. Canada, in particular, has halted arms exports to Israel since January, with the freeze set to continue until assurances can be made regarding the weapons' compliance with humanitarian law.
As the world watches these developments unfold, the suspension of arms sales to Israel underscores growing international unease over the conflict and its devastating impact on civilian populations.
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