Addressing a press conference in Jerusalem on January 27, Netanyahu said Israel faced a critical shortage of ammunition during key phases of the war against Hamas, forcing troops into high-risk combat situations. While he did not name former US President Joe Biden directly, Netanyahu said the restrictions on arms transfers were lifted only after Donald Trump assumed office, following which supplies resumed.
“Soldiers fought house to house without sufficient ammunition,” Netanyahu said, adding that while casualties are inevitable in war, some deaths could have been avoided if Israel had not faced shortages. He did not specify how many soldiers he believes were lost due to the alleged pause in supplies.
The prime minister said the experience had convinced him that Israel must reduce its dependence on foreign military aid. He announced plans to strengthen domestic defence manufacturing, with the aim of achieving near self-sufficiency in weapons and ammunition within the next decade. Netanyahu said Israel should move from an aid-based relationship with the US to a partnership model focused on joint development, potentially involving other partners such as India and Germany.
The claims were swiftly rejected by senior aides from the Biden administration. Amos Hochstein, a top adviser to Biden during the conflict, accused Netanyahu of misrepresenting facts, saying the US had consistently supported Israel’s security needs. Another senior official, Brett McGurk, described Netanyahu’s remarks as “a complete lie,” underscoring the depth of disagreement over the issue.
The controversy comes against the backdrop of heavy Israeli military losses since the conflict began. Israeli officials and media reports estimate that between 900 and 1,150 Israeli soldiers have been killed since October 2023, including those who died during Hamas’s initial attack and subsequent ground operations in Gaza. By November 2025, at least 922 military deaths had been officially acknowledged.
The war, now extending into its third year, has had devastating consequences for Gaza. According to UN agencies, more than 67,000 Palestinians have been killed, including thousands of children. Large-scale destruction has rendered much of the territory uninhabitable, with most residents displaced and basic services shattered.
Netanyahu’s remarks highlight a growing debate within Israel over strategic autonomy and the risks of reliance on external military support. While his government argues that self-reliance is essential to prevent future shortages, critics warn that public disputes with Washington could further complicate Israel’s most critical security partnership at a time of ongoing regional instability.
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