US President Barack Obama has signed a bill to grant Israel an additional $225 million (£133 million) for their Iron Dome missile defence system.
The Iron Dome is a computerised defence system with nine missile batteries spread across Israel, and intercepts up to 90% of the rockets fired into Israel by Hamas before they reach their targets and cause damage to Israeli property or threaten Israeli lives.
The $225 million will be used to replenish Israel’s Iron Dome missiles, which have been used to shoot down the vast majority of the 3,000 rockets fired into Israel by Hamas during the recent conflict.
US taxpayers have provided millions of dollars to Israel for the Iron Dome project in the past, and this additional funding was previously passed unanimously by the Senate and by 395-8 in the House of Representatives.
Meanwhile, Spain has frozen its arms exports to Israel and the UK has said that it is reviewing all arms export licenses to the country after Israel’s three-week Operation Defensive Edge in Gaza claimed more than 1,800 lives, mostly civilians.
The US funding comes as Israel and Hamas agree to another three-day Egypt-brokered cease-fire, and Israel announces the withdrawal of all of its troops to “defensive positions” outside the Gaza Strip.
1 Comment
Hi,
“Obama signs off $225 million funding for Israeli Iron Dome missile defense system”. This money down the drain (לנקז). As the militants will gain new technology to evade these things. Israel should think about talking of a just peace for all.