In brief
The new U.S. policy directed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio permits arms shipments to Israel and Egypt, while causing widespread alarm among global aid organizations.
The Trump administration's sudden suspension of U.S. foreign aid has raised significant concerns among global organizations dependent on these funds. However, a memo from Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicates that this halt will not affect military assistance to Israel and Egypt nor critical emergency food aid. The announcement comes as the White House has authorized the Pentagon to dispatch a shipment of 1,800 MK-84 2,000-pound bombs to Israel, a move initially postponed by President Biden to curtail widespread military aggression in the city of Rafah.The controversial shipment of bombs—considered excessively destructive for urban combat—will resume as part of the ongoing support to Israel amidst its military actions against Hamas in Gaza. Alongside this military aid, the department’s memo outlines stringent measures for halting all new foreign aid funding and directing existing grant recipients to cease their programs during a reassessment phase mandated by an executive order signed by President Trump earlier this week.The implications of these decisions have sent ripples of anxiety across various aid organizations operating under U.S. grants, which cover critical sectors from healthcare to climate initiatives. Groups relying on this foreign aid are now in a precarious position as they await the outcome of this 90-day evaluation period.
