UN commends Saudi relief efforts in Gaza during KSrelief field visit

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he wants Israel to phase out US military financial assistance within the next 10 years, signalling a potential shift in one of Washington’s closest strategic partnerships as Israel seeks deeper regional ties with Gulf nations.

In an interview aired Sunday on 60 Minutes, Netanyahu said it was time to begin reducing the financial component of Israel’s military cooperation with the United States.

“I want to draw down to zero the American financial support, the financial component of the military cooperation that we have,” Netanyahu said.

Israel currently receives about $3.8 billion annually in US military assistance under a $38 billion agreement covering 2018 to 2028. Netanyahu said the current moment presents an opportunity to rethink the financial framework of the long-standing alliance.

“I don’t want to wait for the next Congress. I want to start now,” he said.

Shifting US public opinion

Netanyahu’s remarks come as American public support for Israel has weakened significantly since the start of the Gaza war in October 2023.

A March survey by Pew Research Center found that 60 percent of US adults now hold an unfavorable view of Israel, while 59 percent expressed little or no confidence in Netanyahu’s handling of global affairs — both figures marking a seven-point increase from a year earlier.

Netanyahu attributed the erosion in support largely to the influence of social media, claiming several unnamed countries had manipulated online platforms in ways that damaged Israel’s standing.

He stopped short of endorsing censorship but said the impact of digital narratives on public opinion had been profound.

No timeline on Iran conflict

The Israeli leader also declined to provide details on military plans or a timeline regarding the ongoing conflict with Iran, which began on February 28 following coordinated US-Israeli strikes.

The conflict has contributed to rising global oil prices after Iran disrupted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passageway for roughly 20 percent of the world’s oil supply.

Netanyahu acknowledged Israeli planners initially underestimated Iran’s ability to affect maritime traffic through the strait.

“It took a while for them to understand how big that risk is, which they understand now,” he said.

Regime change speculation

Asked about the possibility of regime change in Iran, Netanyahu suggested the collapse of Tehran’s leadership could dismantle the network of Iran-backed groups across the Middle East.

“If this regime is indeed weakened or possibly toppled, I think it’s the end of Hezbollah, it’s the end of Hamas, it’s probably the end of the Houthis,” he said.

When asked whether toppling Iran’s leadership was realistic, Netanyahu replied: “Is it possible? Yes. Is it guaranteed? No.”

His comments underscore growing regional uncertainty as Israel reassesses both its security partnerships and its broader strategic posture in the Middle East.