© AFPAn Israeli soldier inspecting artillery shells. Several European countries have stopped responding to Israeli requests to purchase weapons and the raw materials to produce munitions in response to its genocide of Palestinians in Gaza.
The Israeli business newspaper has learned that arms suppliers from several European countries have stopped responding to Israeli requests. Additionally, a major foreign power other than the US that previously traded with Israel has since 7 October refused to supply Tel Aviv with raw materials to manufacture ammunition.
Calcalist cites a report by the New York Times, which states the Israeli army is facing a shortage of 120 mm tank shells. Tank gunners stationed in Gaza have been warned to preserve shells in case they are needed in Israel's north, where the possibility of a full-scale war against Hezbollah in Lebanon has been growing.
The Times report added that the army also faces a shortage of parts for tanks, D9 bulldozers, armored personnel carriers, and other light ground ammunition.
In response, the security establishment seeks to reduce Israel's dependence on foreign supplies by promoting local ammunition production despite the higher costs.
Comment: Costs which will be shared by the US taxpayer, no doubt.
Calcalist notes, however, that "those who believe that Israel will be able to produce all the ammunition it needs are likely to be deluded."
Even with a massive increase in Israeli production capacity, a significant portion of the ammunition Israel needs would still have to come from foreign suppliers, the paper notes.
The US, with its vastly larger economy and industrial base, is unable to produce enough ammunition and artillery for its own use and the use of its allies, particularly Ukraine. The vast amounts of artillery shells used by both Russia and Ukraine in their conflict have led to higher prices and shortages globally.
Further, Israel lacks the raw materials needed to produce the ammunition. These must be imported from abroad. But many countries have also stopped exporting these raw materials to Israel in response to its genocide of Palestinians in Gaza.
The refusal of more and more European countries to supply ammunition, spare parts, and raw materials to continue slaughtering Palestinians has forced Israel to rely more heavily on India - which is also the main buyer of Israeli arms.
Comment: One wonders how long that can continue: India's PM Modi accepts Russia's highest civilian honor for his contributions to 'strategic partnership' at Kremlin
At the same time, Calcalist reported that Israel had begun importing weapons and raw materials from a new country that had not supplied them before.
Serbia also remains a steady ally, providing a defense air bridge to Israel since the outbreak of the war.
No - the problem is, they have no considerable industrial capacity on their own, and thus need to husband their reserves. Which their think tthey need for their campaign against Russia.