Rubio asserts expedited military support for Israel amidst ceasefire tensions
Marco Rubio, the U.S. Secretary of State, signed a declaration on Saturday that will significantly expedite the delivery of military equipment to Israel. The value of the planned support is estimated at approximately 4 billion dollars. The decision is justified by the unstable situation related to the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
The U.S. Secretary of State used special powers to streamline the process of transferring military equipment to Israel. In an official statement, Rubio assured the continuation of American commitment to the security issues of the Israeli state, including providing measures to counter potential threats.
Last week, the Pentagon confirmed that the State Department approved the sale of an arms package to Israel worth nearly 3 billion dollars, including bombs and explosives. The Trump administration decided on an expedited procedure, bypassing the standard practice of consulting with the foreign affairs committees of both houses of Congress.
Since the beginning of Donald Trump's presidency in January 2025, his administration has approved arms transactions with Israel amounting to nearly 12 billion dollars.
Prospects of extending the ceasefire
The ceasefire agreement reached on January 19, 2025, ended a fifteen-month period of fighting. As part of the arrangements, 33 Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip and about 2,000 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli detention facilities were released.
Prime Minister Netanyahu's office announced overnight from Saturday to Sunday that Israel is ready to extend the ceasefire over the holidays—Muslim Ramadan and Jewish Passover. However, this proposal, presented by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, was met with refusal from Hamas. Ramadan in the Palestinian territories began on Saturday evening and will last until March 30, while Passover will be observed from April 12 to 20.
Will Ukraine be deprived of arms supplies?
According to reports from "The Washington Post", the Trump administration is considering a complete halt to current military aid supplies to Ukraine. This decision is said to be a reaction to recent statements by President Volodymyr Zelensky during a meeting in the Oval Office.
The potential halt of aid would involve military equipment worth billions of dollars, including radars, vehicles, ammunition, and missiles that are currently awaiting shipment to Ukraine. This decision signifies a dramatic deterioration in relations between the erstwhile allies.
According to a senior official cited by the paper, the confrontational meeting between Trump and Vance with Zelensky was not planned. Before the meeting, attempts were made to set a more positive tone, evidenced by Trump's decision to avoid calling Zelensky a "dictator."
