Trump says US will stop $4 billion in aid to Israel after this year

President Donald Trump stated that the United States will cease providing $4 billion in annual aid to Israel after the end of this year, according to France 24. Trump said he and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed months ago to stop the funding, adding that Israel no longer needs the aid.

Trump told Fox News that the decision was influenced by concerns that some politicians use US financial support to Israel as a political talking point, as reported by PBS NewsHour. He indicated that the aid had become a Democratic campaign issue and described the arrangement as a form of barter or military support.

The exact nature of the aid Trump referred to was not immediately clear. France 24 noted that a memorandum of understanding providing $3.8 billion in annual US military aid to Israel is set to expire in 2028, and discussions are ongoing about future assistance.

Al Jazeera highlighted that Trump said the US would help Israel if needed despite ending the regular payments. The US State Department had not commented on the announcement at the time of reporting.

The announcement comes amid a backdrop of shifting US political debates over military aid to Israel, with some US lawmakers proposing cuts, reflecting tensions within and between parties over the issue, as noted by Al Jazeera.

What we're watching: How the US and Israel will manage their military and financial relationship after the end of this year's aid payments and the implications for regional security.