New Documents Reveal U.S. Military Aid to Israel Includes Hundreds of Millions for IDF Airbases and Facilities
In a significant development shedding light on U.S.-Israel relations, newly released documents from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have disclosed that the United States, under the Trump administration, has been channeling hundreds of millions of dollars in military foreign aid to Israel for the construction of airbases and military facilities. This funding, part of a broader U.S. commitment to Israel’s security, supplements the annual $3.8 billion in military assistance Israel receives, raising questions about transparency, congressional oversight, and the strategic implications of such investments.
The Scope of the AidAccording to the documents, published online by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. is financing approximately 20 construction projects in Israel. These projects include infrastructure to support the Israel Air Force’s new refueling aircraft and helicopters, as well as a new headquarters for the Israeli military’s elite Shayetet 13 naval commando unit. The total cost of these initiatives, funded through U.S. military aid, is estimated to run into billions of shekels, with hundreds of millions of dollars specifically allocated to enhancing Israel’s military infrastructure.
This aid is part of a long-standing U.S. policy to bolster Israel’s defense capabilities, which has seen Israel receive hundreds of billions of dollars in military assistance since its founding in 1948. The annual $3.8 billion in Foreign Military Financing (FMF) grants, established under a memorandum of understanding signed during the Obama administration, is primarily intended for the purchase of U.S.-made military equipment and weaponry. However, the newly revealed construction projects indicate that a portion of this aid is being used to directly enhance Israel’s military infrastructure, a move that has sparked both support and criticism.
Context of the Trump Administration’s PoliciesSince taking office in January 2025, the Trump administration has prioritized strengthening U.S.-Israel military ties. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced multiple arms sales and aid packages, totaling nearly $12 billion in major foreign military sales to Israel within the first six weeks of the administration. This includes a $4 billion emergency aid package expedited in March 2025, which Rubio claimed reversed a “partial arms embargo” imposed by the Biden administration—a claim disputed by some analysts who note that the Biden administration approved nearly all of Israel’s weapons requests.
The decision to fund infrastructure projects, such as airbases and military facilities, aligns with the Trump administration’s broader strategy of ensuring Israel’s qualitative military edge in the Middle East. Posts on X reflect a polarized public reaction, with some users praising the administration’s commitment to Israel’s security, while others criticize the use of American taxpayer dollars for foreign military projects, particularly amid domestic economic challenges.Congressional Oversight and ControversyThe revelation of these construction projects has reignited debates about congressional oversight of U.S. foreign aid. The Trump administration has faced criticism for bypassing traditional congressional review processes for several aid packages to Israel. For instance, the $4 billion emergency aid package announced by Rubio in March 2025 was expedited using emergency authorities, sidestepping the informal review process typically conducted by the House Foreign Affairs and Senate Foreign Relations Committees. Similarly, an $8 billion arms sale, initially proposed by the Biden administration in January 2025, was pushed through by the Trump administration despite objections from some lawmakers, including Representative Gregory Meeks, who argued that the move disregarded congressional prerogative.
Meeks, a ranking Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, has expressed support for Israel’s military needs but emphasized the importance of maintaining checks and balances. He described the administration’s actions as a “fundamental challenge to the balance of power among coequal branches of government.” The lack of transparency regarding the specific allocation of funds for construction projects has further fueled concerns among critics who argue that such significant expenditures warrant greater scrutiny.
Strategic ImplicationsThe construction of airbases and facilities funded by U.S. aid underscores Israel’s strategic importance to the United States in a volatile region. Israel’s enhanced military infrastructure could strengthen its ability to counter threats from Iran and its proxies, such as Hamas and Hezbollah, which have been a focal point of U.S.-Israel security cooperation. The projects also reflect a deepening of the U.S.-Israel alliance, with the U.S. investing directly in Israel’s long-term military capabilities rather than solely providing weapons and equipment.
However, the funding has raised concerns among some analysts and humanitarian groups, particularly in light of Israel’s ongoing conflicts. The Trump administration’s support for Israel’s military actions, including its blockade of humanitarian aid to Gaza, has drawn accusations of enabling violations of international law. The simultaneous approval of billions in military aid and infrastructure projects, while humanitarian aid programs face cuts, has intensified scrutiny of U.S. priorities in the region.
Public and Political ReactionsThe disclosure of these documents has sparked varied reactions. Supporters of the aid argue that it is a critical investment in a key ally’s security, particularly as Israel faces multifaceted threats. The American Jewish Committee (AJC) has emphasized the importance of U.S. security assistance, noting that it advances American interests in the Middle East by supporting a democratic ally against Iran-backed terror groups.
Conversely, critics, including some X users, have decried the allocation of U.S. funds for foreign military projects, arguing that domestic needs, such as infrastructure or healthcare, should take precedence. Others have pointed to the human cost of Israel’s military operations, particularly in Gaza, where U.S.-funded weapons have been used, as a reason to reevaluate the scale of aid.
ConclusionThe newly uncovered documents from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers highlight a significant but lesser-known aspect of U.S. military aid to Israel: the direct funding of airbases and military facilities. While this aid reinforces the strategic partnership between the U.S. and Israel, it also raises questions about transparency, congressional oversight, and the broader implications of such investments. As the Trump administration continues to expedite military assistance to Israel, the debate over how U.S. taxpayer dollars are spent—and their impact on regional dynamics—is likely to intensify.For further details on the specific projects or to verify the claims made in this article, readers are encouraged to consult the original documents published by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers or contact relevant congressional oversight committees.
