US Senate sanctions $225 million for Israel's Iron Dome defence

Washington, Aug 2: The US Senate on Friday passed a legislation to provide a whopping $225 million as emergency funding for Israel's "Iron Dome" missile defence system.

According to a Reuters report, an earlier version of the funding plan failed on Thursday when the Senate Republicans blocked a broader spending bill that was aimed at providing funds to deal with the immigration crisis at the country's Mexico border.

American lawmakers fast reached the agreement to pass the missile funding and although it still needs to get the assent of the House of Representatives and signed by President Barack Obama, it is unlikely that it will feel much of a resistance in the House, given Washington's backing for Israel throughout the history.

Israel's Iron Dome has nullified most of the rockets fired by Palestinian militants in Gaza during the ongoing conflict.

US condemns Palestinian militants for violating ceasefire

The US on Friday condemned the killing of Israeli soldiers and apparent abduction of another by the Palestinian militants who violated the ceasefire.

"It was an outrageous violation of the ceasefire negotiated over the past several days, and of the assurances given to the US and the United Nations," John Kerry, US Secretary of State, said in a statement. After the horrific loss of life in this attack and its aftermath, it would be a tragedy if this outrageous attack leads to more suffering and loss of life on both sides of this conflict, Xinhua quoted Kerry as saying.

Oneindia News

[With IANS inputs]