Secretary of State Marco Rubio ordered an immediate halt to nearly all U.S. foreign aid pending a review.

The directive to all consular and diplomatic posts follows President Donald Trump's executive order on Monday suspending new obligations and spending on foreign aid pending a review of the order "for 90 days," to achieve program efficiencies and consistency.

The memorandum states that U.S. departments, agencies and entities “shall not provide foreign assistance funded by the Department or USAID without authorization from the Secretary of State or his or her designee.”

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Rubio exempted Israel and Egypt from foreign military financing, but no other countries were mentioned on cable TV. Rubio spoke with his Israeli and Egyptian counterparts ahead of the directive.

Waivers are also approved for "emergency food assistance and administrative expenses, including salaries, for the purpose of conducting such assistance." Salaries of U.S. direct-employed employees and locally hired employees are also exempted on a "temporary basis."

The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Israel and Egypt are the top recipients of U.S. foreign aid. Israel receives about $3.3 billion in U.S. aid each year. Egypt receives approximately $1.5 billion annually.

Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire this month after 15 months of war that has killed thousands in Gaza and left uncertainty surrounding the future of those held hostage by Hamas. Certainty.

It's unclear whether Rubio's order will stand up under U.S. law.

"Withholding these funds would be unconstitutional. Absolutely." Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.)

The directive requires policy program directors to work with the Office of Foreign Assistance and other relevant departments and agencies to develop "appropriate review standards" within 30 days.

The memo said a comprehensive government-wide review of all foreign aid "should be completed and a report and recommendations to the President submitted to the Secretary of State within 85 days."

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Its foreign aid requests account for less than 1% of the total federal budget, according to the State Department's Office of Foreign Assistance.

Trump has frequently opposed U.S. foreign aid, cutting funding for various U.N. programs during his first term and frequently criticized Ukraine funding during last year's campaign.

Rubio, who was confirmed by the Senate as secretary of state in a 99-0 vote on Monday, is expected to make his first overseas trip to Central America late next week, with Panama one of his first stops. He is also expected to make stops in Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic, according to a State Department spokesman.

Guatemala and El Salvador were among the countries where the State Department temporarily cut aid during Trump's first term.