The resolutions, introduced by Senator Bernie Sanders, aimed to block the sale of bulldozers and bombs to Israel. Both measures failed, with votes of 40-59 and 36-63, drawing unanimous opposition from Republicans and a split among Democrats.

Sanders, an independent who caucuses with Democrats, has repeatedly forced votes on the issue in recent years to pressure lawmakers to reconsider U.S. military support for Israel. Similar efforts in 2024 and 2025 were also defeated, though support among Democrats has risen significantly.

“It’s clear that Democrats are beginning to listen to the average American who is sick and tired of spending billions of dollars to support Netanyahu’s horrific wars,” Sanders said after the vote.Senator Mark Kelly was among Democrats who voted in favor of the resolutions after opposing some previous efforts.

Speaking ahead of the vote, Kelly cited concerns over what he described as “reckless decisions” by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump, including the expansion of conflict in Lebanon and continued violence in Palestinian territories.

Other Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, voted against the measures.The votes came amid protests in Washington, where nearly 100 demonstrators were arrested earlier in the week during actions urging lawmakers to support the resolutions.

The demonstrations were organized by advocacy groups critical of U.S. policy toward Israel.Earlier on Wednesday, the Senate also rejected a separate Democratic-backed resolution aimed at halting U.S. military involvement in Iran, which failed by a 47-52 vote.

Senator Chris Coons, who opposed the Israel-related resolutions but supported the Iran measure, said his votes reflected an effort to balance criticism of Israeli government actions with continued support for the U.S.-Israel relationship.

Republican lawmakers argued that blocking arms transfers could undermine U.S. strategic interests.

Senator Jim Risch, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said ahead of the vote that the measures could embolden Iran and weaken Israel’s security.

The Israeli Defense Forces said the attacks targeted “infrastructure of the Iranian regime” in the capital, without providing operational details. The strikes came a day after Trump publicly cautioned Israel against repeating attacks on Iranian natural gas facilities, highlighting emerging divergences within the U.S.-Israeli alignment.

Iran’s retaliation in recent days has expanded the conflict’s geographic scope, with Bahrain, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates reporting missile activity early on Friday. The widening theatre of operations underscores the vulnerability of Gulf states as the confrontation increasingly targets strategic economic assets.

Iranian strikes earlier hit Qatar’s Ras Laffan Industrial City, a key hub processing roughly one-fifth of global liquefied natural gas supply. Damage to the facility is expected to take years to repair, according to initial assessments, amplifying concerns over long-term supply disruptions in global energy markets.

Saudi Arabia’s main Red Sea port was also attacked on Thursday, despite efforts to reroute exports away from the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime chokepoint that Iran has sought to pressure by threatening or disrupting transit.

Energy prices surged on Thursday following the strike on Qatar’s gas infrastructure, reflecting market anxiety over supply shocks. However, oil prices retreated on Friday after European countries and Japan signaled readiness to support maritime security operations to ensure continued passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

The United States also outlined measures to increase oil output, helping to offset immediate supply fears and stabilize market sentiment. The Strait remains a conduit for roughly one-fifth of global oil flows, making any disruption a significant risk to international energy stability.

The attacks on high-value energy infrastructure across the Gulf have highlighted both Iran’s retaliatory reach and the limitations of existing air defense systems in protecting dispersed, high-capacity facilities.

The conflict, which escalated after U.S. and Israeli strikes on February 28 following failed negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program, has since resulted in thousands of casualties and triggered cascading economic and security repercussions across the region.

Washington said it had not been informed in advance of Israel’s earlier strike on Iranian gas infrastructure, a development that adds complexity to coordination between the allies as the conflict evolves.

According to a statement released by the Israeli Defense Ministry, Hegseth conveyed strong backing for Israel’s military operations and said the United States stood with the country as the conflict continued to unfold. The remarks were made during a discussion between the two defence officials held overnight, the ministry said.Katz thanked the United States for what the ministry described as extensive assistance in defending Israeli citizens, highlighting the role of American support in Israel’s security response during the current crisis.Washington reiterates security supportThe statement from the defence ministry said Hegseth expressed Washington’s commitment to Israel’s security and reiterated that the United States supported Israel’s efforts to respond to threats facing the country.The ministry said Hegseth told Katz that Israel should “keep going until the end,” a message it said underscored the depth of U.S. backing during the ongoing confrontation. The statement did not provide additional details about the operational context of the conversation or the specific measures discussed between the two sides.The United States has long been Israel’s primary security partner, providing military assistance, intelligence cooperation and advanced defence systems. U.S. officials have repeatedly described Israel’s security as a key component of Washington’s strategic policy in the Middle East.Israeli officials acknowledge U.S. assistanceIn the same conversation, Katz thanked Hegseth for the support the United States has provided to Israel during the conflict, according to the ministry’s statement.The Israeli defence minister said U.S. assistance had been significant in helping protect Israeli civilians, the ministry said, though it did not specify the form of the assistance referenced.The defence ministry’s statement characterised the discussions as part of ongoing coordination between the two countries’ defence establishments as the situation in the region evolves.Security cooperation between the United States and Israel typically includes joint planning, intelligence sharing and operational coordination, particularly during periods of heightened regional tension.Coordination amid escalating regional tensionsThe conversation between Hegseth and Katz took place against the backdrop of widening instability in the Middle East, with military developments drawing increased attention from regional governments and global markets.Israel’s defence ministry said the talks were part of continuing engagement between the two governments as they monitor developments and maintain coordination on security matters.Officials from both countries have maintained close contact since the conflict escalated, reflecting the longstanding strategic partnership between Washington and Israel. The defence ministry statement did not indicate whether additional meetings or consultations were scheduled between the two leaders.The ministry also did not disclose whether the discussions addressed specific military operations or future policy decisions, noting only that Hegseth reiterated U.S. support for Israel and its right to defend its citizens.

The overnight exchange highlighted the ongoing diplomatic and military coordination between the United States and Israel as the conflict continues to shape the regional security environment.

The meeting reflected continued close engagement between Washington and Jerusalem, with both leaders emphasizing cooperation, stability, and long-term security arrangements in the Middle East.

President Trump expressed support for moving forward with the second phase of the ceasefire process, stressing the importance of preventing militant regrouping and ensuring sustainable peace.

He underlined that disarmament of armed groups in Gaza remains central to any durable settlement and reiterated America’s role in facilitating structured political and security transitions.

The talks also addressed broader regional concerns, including Iran’s military activities and the need for deterrence to prevent further escalation across multiple fronts.

Trump signaled that the United States would continue to stand by Israel’s security needs while balancing diplomatic pathways to reduce conflict risks in the region.

Netanyahu welcomed U.S. engagement, noting that coordination with Washington remains essential as Israel navigates complex security and political challenges.

Both leaders discussed mechanisms to implement transitional governance in Gaza, including international involvement aimed at stabilizing the territory and supporting reconstruction.

The ceasefire agreement reached earlier has reduced large-scale hostilities, allowing space for diplomacy and humanitarian assistance to expand across Gaza.

Officials emphasized that further progress depends on careful sequencing of obligations and confidence-building steps by all parties involved.

Trump highlighted the need for accountability and compliance, stating that peace agreements must be enforced to maintain credibility and effectiveness.

The meeting also touched on Israel’s northern front, where efforts continue to preserve calm and prevent renewed conflict with Hezbollah.

U.S. officials reiterated support for internationally backed arrangements designed to strengthen state authority and reduce the influence of armed non-state actors.

Netanyahu raised concerns about long-term security guarantees, stressing that Israel seeks peace without compromising its ability to defend its citizens.

The discussions reflected an understanding that regional stability requires both diplomatic engagement and credible deterrence.

On Gaza, leaders explored pathways to accelerate humanitarian access while laying the groundwork for economic recovery and governance reforms.

Trump reaffirmed that the United States views regional cooperation as key to ensuring that ceasefires translate into lasting peace rather than temporary pauses.

Both sides acknowledged the political sensitivities involved but agreed that leadership and compromise are necessary to move the process forward.

The Florida meeting also symbolized continuity in U.S.-Israeli relations, reinforcing strategic alignment amid shifting regional dynamics.

Analysts noted that the talks send a message of coordinated leadership at a time when the Middle East faces overlapping security and political transitions.

Despite challenges, officials described the discussions as constructive and forward-looking, with a shared commitment to preventing renewed large-scale conflict.

Trump stressed that peace initiatives must be realistic, enforceable, and supported by strong international backing.

Netanyahu emphasized Israel’s willingness to engage with partners to ensure Gaza does not revert to instability or violence.

The leaders agreed to maintain close communication as negotiations and implementation efforts continue.

Their meeting underscored a shared belief that diplomacy, backed by strength, remains the most viable path to regional stability.

As the next phase of the Gaza plan is shaped, Washington and Jerusalem signaled readiness to coordinate policy, security, and diplomatic efforts.

The talks concluded with both leaders expressing cautious optimism about the possibility of progress despite difficult steps ahead.

While the summit in New York could boost the morale of Palestinians, it is not expected to deliver change on the ground, where the most far-right government in Israel’s history has declared there will be no Palestinian state as it pushes on with its fight against militant group Hamas.

The two-state solution was the bedrock of the U.S.-backed peace process ushered in by the 1993 Oslo Accords. The process suffered heavy pushback from both sides and has all but died.

Israeli Ambassador Calls Summit a ‘Circus’

Israel and the United States will boycott the summit, Israel’s U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon, said, describing the event as a “circus.”

Britain, Canada, Australia and Portugal all recognised a Palestinian state on Sunday. France and five other states are expected to also formally do so on Monday at the meeting ahead of the United Nations General Assembly.

While the majority of European countries now recognise a Palestinian state, both Germany and Italy have signalled they are unlikely to make such a move soon.

Germany — long a strong supporter of Israel because of its responsibility for the Holocaust — has grown more critical of Israeli policy, while insisting that recognition of a Palestinian state should come at the end of a political process to agree on a two-state solution.

The German government spokesperson also said on Monday there must be no further annexations in Israeli-occupied territory.

Italy said recognising a Palestinian state could be “counterproductive”.

Russia still believes that a two-state solution is the only way to settle the conflict, the Kremlin said on Monday.

“This remains our approach, and we believe that it is the only possible way to find a solution to this extremely complex, long-standing conflict, which is now perhaps at its most acute and tragic stage in its entire history,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

Israeli Response May Include West Bank Annexation

Israel has become isolated and drawn global condemnation over its military conduct in Gaza, where more than 65,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to local health authorities.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected numerous calls to end the campaign until Hamas is destroyed and has said he will not recognise a Palestinian state. Netanyahu said in a statement on Sunday he will announce Israel’s response when he returns from the U.S., where he is scheduled to meet U.S. President Donald Trump.

Israel is considering annexing part of the occupied West Bank as a possible response as well as specific bilateral measures against Paris, Israeli officials have said, even though the recognitions are expected to be largely symbolic.

Annexation could backfire and alienate key countries like the United Arab Emirates, a global oil power and trade hub with wide diplomatic clout across the Middle East.

The United Arab Emirates, the most prominent of the Arab states that normalised ties with Israel under the U.S.-brokered Abraham Accords in 2020, has said such a move would undermine the spirit of the agreement.

The U.S. administration has also warned of possible consequences for those who take measures against Israel, including against France, whose president, Emmanuel Macron, is hosting the New York summit.

The summit follows Israel’s launch of a long-threatened ground assault on Gaza City with few prospects for a ceasefire two years after Palestinian Islamist militants Hamas attacked Israel, triggering the war in the Palestinian enclave.

France Says Declaration Shows Commitment To Two-State Solution

Amid Israel’s intensified Gaza offensive and escalating violence by Israeli settlers in the West Bank, there is a growing sense of urgency to act now before the idea of a two-state solution vanishes forever.

“The decision that the President of the Republic will present this afternoon to the United Nations General Assembly is a symbolic, immediate, political decision that demonstrates France’s commitment to the two-state solution,” French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot told television channel TF1.

France has driven the move, hoping that Macron’s announcement in July that he would recognise a Palestinian state would give greater momentum to a movement hitherto dominated by smaller nations that are generally more critical of Israel.

In Gaza, some Palestinians found little relief in statehood recognition as they fled Israeli attacks on Gaza City on Sunday.

“Even if countries such as Australia, Canada, and France —who are now among those initiating this recognition — acknowledge Palestine, I believe there will still be no serious pressure on Israel to grant the Palestinians their rights,” said displaced Palestinian Nabeel Jaber.

In Tel Aviv, Israelis said the Palestinians turned down many chances to establish a state in the past.

“We’ve offered them peace about five times. They could have agreed to any one of those, and they never, ever chose peace. So why do we need to choose peace with people who want to kidnap, murder, rape our people? I don’t think we need to do that,” said film student Tamara Raveh, 25.