The United States finances and sanctions Israel at once!

Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, there are recurring signs of tension in relations between the United States and Israel, especially with regard to the way Israel is managing the war in Gaza and its repercussions on the confrontation with Iran, its arch enemy.

Several media outlets reported disagreements between US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which raised questions about the extent of compatibility of visions between the two countries.

Biden reportedly confronted Netanyahu in heated talks over war strategy, particularly regarding the Israeli invasion of Rafah, which the United States opposes to avoid escalating the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

However, billions of dollars in US aid indicate that the differences may be less deep than they appear.

On the military side, the US support for Israel remained strong.

On Saturday, the US House of Representatives approved a $17 billion aid package for Israel to support its missile defense system and purchase advanced weapons systems.

Earlier, Washington approved a similar package worth $14.1 billion.

However, signs of US dissatisfaction with the actions of Israeli forces have begun to emerge, especially regarding human rights violations in the occupied West Bank.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to announce sanctions against the “Netzah Yehuda” Battalion in the Israeli army, due to violations committed before the events of October 7, as informed sources reported to the Axios website.

If these sanctions are implemented, they will be the first of their kind against an Israeli military battalion, and may prevent its members from receiving any type of US military assistance or training.

However, these sanctions are not expected to significantly affect the ability of the Israeli army, which still enjoys significant US support.

This US move is based on a law issued in 1997 that prohibits the provision of aid and training to foreign army and police units involved in human rights violations.

According to US reports, a special committee affiliated with the State Department investigated human rights violations in the West Bank and recommended that the Israeli army and police units involved be deprived of receiving US aid.