Gaza Genocide Pushes Israel’s War Costs to Record $169 Bn

Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has become the most expensive military aggression in its history, with the total cost expected to reach around $169 billion, according to a report by Haaretz.

The report said the war in Gaza has increased Israel’s debt by around $130 billion.

According to the report, Israel’s ministry of military affairs director general Amir Baram has prepared plans for an “intense decade” ahead. The plans include military spending of around $500 billion.

However, the report said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not clearly explained how the government would finance such large spending plans. Israel’s annual $3.8 billion military aid from the United States is also expected to decrease and eventually end.

Israeli officials told Haaretz that financial concerns were largely pushed aside after October 7, 2023, when Israel began its military campaign in Gaza.

Israel mobilized around 220,000 reservists during the conflict, nearly doubling the size of its forces. The large-scale mobilization also created difficulties in providing soldiers with enough equipment and training.

A senior Israeli officer told the newspaper that soldiers deployed to Gaza sometimes lacked basic equipment.

“You send them into Gaza, and you do not have suitable equipment,” the officer said, describing how soldiers searched available supplies for tactical helmets and protective vests.

The report also alleged that Israeli soldiers were encouraged by officers to fire at unarmed Palestinians in Gaza even when there was no immediate threat.

US Military Support

The United States has also significantly increased its military support for Israel beyond its regular annual assistance under the 10-year US-Israel memorandum of understanding.

According to the report, the US administration notified Congress of possible arms sales worth at least $19 billion during 2025 and 2026.

The proposed sales include advanced aircraft, missiles, bombs, ammunition, helicopters and armored vehicles.

Washington also used emergency powers to bypass the normal congressional review period for nearly $4 billion in additional weapons and military equipment.

Overall, the US has provided at least $21.7 billion in military assistance to Israel since October 2023, according to the report.

Gaza Death Toll

Since Israel launched its military campaign in Gaza, at least 73,000 Palestinians have been killed and more than 173,000 others wounded, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. The majority of those killed and wounded are women and children.

The ministry has also recorded at least 1,266 Palestinians killed and 4,200 wounded in Gaza since the ceasefire took effect on October 11, 2025.

The figures come as the ceasefire remains fragile and Palestinian officials continue to accuse Israel of violating the agreement.