A Pentagon inspector general report released December 18 found that the US Department of Defense did not properly track key portions of more than 13 billion in military aid sent to Israel following the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. The audit said oversight gaps leave US monitoring requirements under federal law unmet and could weaken accountability for sensitive defense technology.
The report covers military assistance provided to Israel from October 2023 into 2024. It reviewed how the Pentagon’s enhanced end-use monitoring system tracked defense articles that Congress and law require be monitored through their lifecycle overseas. According to the findings, tracking records were maintained for only about 44 percent of defense items subject to enhanced monitoring as of November 2024, a drop from about 69 percent before the conflict.
Pentagon agencies and US Central Command faced a complex operational environment and staffing constraints in Israel, the report noted, and investigators warned that improper tracking could increase the risk that sensitive US weapons technology might fall into the hands of hostile actors.
Tracking Standards Under Federal Law
Under the Arms Export Control Act, the US must monitor defense articles sold, leased, or exported to foreign partners. For items that use sensitive technology and pose high risk if diverted, agencies use enhanced end-use monitoring (EEUM). EEUM includes requirements for physical inventory checks, location updates, and regular documentation to ensure tracked items remain under oversight.
The inspector general report says that neither the Defense Security Cooperation Agency nor US Central Command provided adequate oversight of the EEUM program in Israel. This contributed to wide gaps in current records, investigators said.
According to the audit, between October 2023 and April 2024 officials were unable to account for 42 deliveries of more than four million munitions because items were already deployed in Israel’s ongoing operations. That made routine inspections and inventory updates difficult or impossible under existing procedures.
The partially redacted report did not specify the exact types of defense articles involved, but it emphasized that the law requires regular documentation even when equipment is deployed or expended.
Operational Challenges and Oversight Gaps
Inspectors identified several reasons for the tracking shortfalls. Among them were staffing shortages at key oversight offices and changes in the operational conditions on the ground in Israel. The Defense Department’s inspector general said these factors combined to limit compliance with monitoring standards.
The watchdog also noted that neither US Central Command nor the Defense Security Cooperation Agency conducted thorough inspections of the Office of Defense Cooperation-Israel that might have detected tracking gaps earlier. Those inspections include checking serial numbers, confirming secure storage, and ensuring timely record updates.
CENTCOM officials agreed to implement one of the IG’s recommendations by conducting either an in-person or remote inspection of the Office of Defense Cooperation-Israel in fiscal year 2026. Another recommendation would require a compliance visit or virtual assessment by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency. At least one recommendation was marked resolved after officials updated statuses of deployed defense items.
Risk of Sensitive Technology Exposure
In its findings, the inspector general noted that ineffective accountability for EEUM items could allow adversaries in the region to obtain sensitive US military technology. Gaining access to such technology could give hostile actors insights into US systems, narrowing the technological advantage US forces maintain.
The risk of technology compromise has growth with increased regional tensions and ongoing operations in and around Gaza. The IG report said robust tracking is essential both for US national security and for maintaining trust with partners who rely on US defense systems.
Context of US Aid to Israel
The United States has long been a major provider of military and economic support to Israel, with total assistance since World War II exceeding 200 billion. Much of the aid is tied to a longstanding memorandum of understanding and supplemental appropriations approved by Congress, especially after the October 2023 attack by Hamas.
Enhanced end-use monitoring was set up to ensure high-tech equipment and defense articles subject to strict oversight are properly managed after delivery. The recent audit shows that pressures from operational tempo and resource limits can strain those systems.
What’s Next
The Pentagon inspector general’s recommendations focus on strengthening inspections and clarifying responsibilities among oversight bodies. Implementation of these suggestions in fiscal year 2026 could improve accountability for future aid shipments.
Lawmakers on Capitol Hill may also take interest in the findings. Congress holds budget and oversight authority over foreign military financing and could press for reforms or reporting requirements. The outcome of such legislative interest could affect future aid flows and oversight practices.
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