Trump Says He Agreed to Halt $4 Billion Annual Aid to Israel

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he has agreed with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to cease annual financial aid to Israel, amounting to $4 billion. Trump stated that Israel has become a successful country and no longer requires this assistance, though the U.S. would still offer support if needed, emphasizing their "wonderful ally" status. This statement comes amid upcoming U.S. midterm congressional elections, which could shift the political balance and potentially impact future American support for Israel, particularly if Republicans lose their majority. The Democratic Party's progressive wing has adopted a more critical stance on Israel, influenced by disagreements over the Gaza war and the extent of U.S. military and political backing. Previously, Trump had been a strong international ally of Netanyahu. However, this close political alignment could pose risks for Israel if a future U.S. administration adopts different foreign policy priorities. In a separate development, the Trump administration is reportedly processing a significant arms deal to sell approximately $2.8 billion worth of U.S. munitions to Israel, including 40,000 heavy bombs weighing around 900 kilograms each.