US President Donald Trump has announced plans to end the United States’ annual $3.8 billion military aid package to Israel by the end of this year, Anadolu Agency reported.
Trump said the United States would nevertheless continue providing assistance and selling weapons to Israel whenever necessary.
Israeli officials are concerned that ending the annual aid package could make it more difficult to finance purchases of fighter jets and replenish stocks of ammunition and military equipment depleted during the past three years of fighting.
An analyst on Israel’s Kan television said the move would leave an annual $3.8 billion shortfall in Israel’s defense budget.