Israel allocates $827 million for urgent military purchases as war with Iran intensifies, with funds drawn from the newly approved state budget.

JERUSALEM: Israel has approved an emergency budget allocation of $827 million for military purchases as its conflict with Iran continues.

The 2.6 billion shekel package was authorised by cabinet ministers during a weekend telephone meeting, according to reports by the daily Haaretz and other Israeli media.

The funds are designated for “security purchases” and to address “urgent needs” arising from the ongoing fighting. A finance ministry document cited by media outlets stated the allocation was necessary “given the intensity of the fighting”.

The document specified the need for “the acquisition of munitions, the procurement of advanced weapons systems and the replenishment of critical combat stocks”. It described the move as “an exceptional emergency decision intended solely to address needs arising from the conduct of the fighting”.

The government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not officially commented on the measure. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar dismissed weekend reports that Israel had informed the United States it was running short of missile interceptors.

When asked by journalists, Saar said: “The answer is no.” He was speaking during a visit to a site recently struck by an Iranian missile.

The emergency funds will be drawn from the state budget, which totals $222 billion. That budget was approved by the government on March 12 and is expected to be adopted by the Knesset by March 31.

Since Israeli-US bombardments against Iran began on February 28, Israel has faced daily ballistic missile attacks. The military has mostly intercepted these using its missile defence systems.

Haaretz, citing security officials, reported that Iran had fired 250 ballistic missiles at Israel as of March 13. An AFP tally of official figures states that twelve people have been killed in Israel by missiles or falling debris since the war began.

 The Sun Malaysia