U.S. Reroutes Artillery from Ukraine to Israel Amidst Middle East Tensions
In an unexpected move, the Pentagon is diverting a sizable cache of 155mm artillery shells, originally meant for Ukraine, to Israel.
This comes as Israel intensifies its preparations for potential confrontations in the Gaza Strip and along the Israeli-Lebanese frontier.
Inside sources have revealed to Axios that these artillery shells, part of a bilateral agreement, have been stored in Israel but were being shifted to Ukraine earlier this year.
Ukraine's Defense and $10 Billion Aid Request in Spotlight
This change in plans has sparked discussions about the U.S.'s wider geopolitical goals in Eastern Europe and the Middle East.
Despite concerns about the implications for Ukraine's defense, U.S. insiders have downplayed any immediate negative impact on Ukrainian forces' capabilities.
Furthermore, Israel's past use of these U.S.-stored munitions during crises, like the 2006 Lebanon war and the 2014 Gaza flare-up, highlights a precedent for such decisions.
Source: European Pravda with reference to Axios
Adding another layer, Israel is rumored to be requesting $10 billion in emergency military aid from the U.S., signifying a heightened regional alertness.
U.S. officials, however, remain confident, stating that their country can adequately back both Ukraine and Israel without compromising global defense capabilities. This decision's ramifications on international dynamics remain to be seen.
