"We send billions to Israel" - UFC veteran criticizes Kamala Harris's "$157 million" Lebanon aid amid Israel conflict

US Vice President and 2024 presidential candidate Kamala Harris has proposed a $157 million relief package for Lebanon amid the country's conflict with Israel. However, UFC veteran Jake Shields is struggling to make sense of the situation.

The former Strikeforce champion recently took to X to express his confusion about the alleged dual nature of US aid to the Middle Eastern conflict. Per Shields, the American government's decision to fund Israel's war efforts and, on the other hand, help Lebanon rebuild seems nonsensical. He wrote:

"We send billions to Israel to bomb Lebanon then millions to Lebanon to rebuild How does this make sense"

The Californian's response came after the Democratic presidential nominee announced monetary aid, amounting to $385 million, to Lebanon during the country's ongoing conflict with Israel.

Harris went on X and stated:

"The people of Lebanon are facing an increasingly dire humanitarian situation. I am concerned about the security and well-being of civilians suffering in Lebanon and will continue working to help meet the needs of all civilians there."

The Vice President continued:

"To that end, the United States will provide nearly $157 million in additional assistance to the people of Lebanon for essential needs such as food, shelter, water, protection, and sanitation to help those who have been displaced by the recent conflict. This additional support brings total U.S. assistance to Lebanon over the last year to over $385 million."

Over the past few weeks, Israel has been heavily bombarding Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, in retaliation for Hezbollah's attack on Israel. Israel's airstrikes across Lebanon, as well as its ground invasion in the south, are aimed at the Iran-backed Lebanese armed group Hezbollah.

Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah are continuing to escalate in what Israel refers to as Operation Northern Arrows. Israeli intelligence detonated thousands of Hezbollah walkie-talkies and beepers in mid-September, killing dozens of group members and injuring thousands more.

On September 27, Israel killed Hassan Nasrallah, the head of Hezbollah, during an airstrike on the organization's Beirut headquarters.

This weekend's intense bombardment came just before the anniversary of the Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel by Palestinian militant group Hamas, which killed 1,200 people and kidnapped more than 250, according to Israeli figures.

The Israel-Lebanon conflict is decades old. Israel invaded Lebanon in 1978 and again in 1982 in retaliation for attacks by Palestinian forces there. After that, it fought a guerilla war against Shia paramilitaries while occupying southern Lebanon until 2000. Following Israel's withdrawal, Hezbollah attacks triggered the 2006 Lebanon War.

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Jake Shields claims Kamala Harris is the "worst presidential candidate in history"

Jake Shields is known for being unafraid to question authority figures. Calling her the "worst presidential candidate in history," Shields has aimed at the 49th vice president of the United States. Harris is running for president of the United States in 2024, hoping to be the first female president in American history. Jake Shields stated:

"Kamala Harris is the worst presidential candidate in American history"