Washington releases $3.5 billion in foreign military funding to Israel

Washington is set to provide Israel with $3.5 billion to spend on US weapons and military equipment, releasing the money months after Congress allocated it, CNN reported on Friday, citing informed sources.

The American network reported that the State Department notified lawmakers on Thursday evening that the government intends to release billions of dollars in foreign military funding to Israel, adding that the money comes within a $14.1 billion additional funding bill for Israel that was passed in April.

The Foreign Ministry did not respond to a request for comment on Friday. The move comes at a time of heightened tensions in the region and fears of a wider Israeli assault on Gaza, which has so far killed 40,000 Palestinians and wounded tens of thousands.

The risk of escalation into a wider war in the Middle East has increased after the assassinations of Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) in Iran, and Fuad Shukr, a senior military commander in Hezbollah, in Beirut, sparking threats of retaliation against Israel.

The war on Gaza has entered its 309th day, amidst violent bombardment that leaves dozens of martyrs and wounded daily, while attention is turning towards the call by Qatar, Egypt and the United States, in a joint statement, to resume urgent talks on Gaza next Thursday, August 15, to close all remaining gaps and begin implementing the agreement without any delay.

(Agencies)