US Faces Challenge in Backing Ukraine and Israel Simultaneously - CNN

The Pentagon is facing a challenge due to the potential need to simultaneously support Ukraine and Israel and “stretch its scarce ammunition stockpiles,” according to sources within the US Department of Defense, as reported by CNN.

At present, Ukraine and Israel require different weapons. Ukraine urgently requires a substantial quantity of artillery ammunition. Conversely, Israel has sought high-precision missiles and Iron Dome air defense systems.

However, a new challenge looms. If Israel were to launch a ground operation in the Gaza Strip, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) may also require American 155-mm artillery ammunition.

Even though Israel has a robust domestic production industry and makes many advanced weapons, a long ground campaign might use up their stockpiles.

CNN notes that the Pentagon has already reached out to US arms manufacturers to expedite the fulfilment of existing orders from Israel for military equipment.

Earlier this year, the US transferred hundreds of thousands of rounds of ammunition from Israel to Ukraine, a significant portion of which is used by the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) to repel Russia’s military invasion.

The scale of ammunition usage in Ukraine significantly surpasses what the IDF would need for a potential ground operation in the Gaza Strip.

The article highlights that another concern within the Pentagon pertains to Congress. The approval of funding to support both Israel and Ukraine remains uncertain.

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While the US intends to increase its support for Israel, Congress must ensure that additional funds are allocated to respond to unforeseen crises and circumstances as they arise.