Israeli and US officials have begun implementing a $5.2 billion emergency aid package to strengthen Israel's air defense system. The Israeli and US sides completed the exchange of letters to activate the package, which will upgrade Israel's Iron Dome anti-rocket system, David's Sling missile defense system, and the Iron Beam laser defense system, the ministry said in a statement on Monday.
The package was part of $8.7 billion aid Israel said late last month it had secured from the United States, in which $3.5 billion have already been transferred to Israel for "urgent wartime procurement."
The United States has been providing support to Israel since the beginning of the conflict with Hamas on October 7 last year, according to official Israeli sources who said that several hundred cargo planes and ships equipped with weapons, bombs, and ammunition have been sent, Xinhua news agency reported.
The United States military aid has attracted heavy criticisms lately amid growing casualties in the Gaza Strip due to unrelenting Israeli attacks. Latest statistics from health authorities in Gaza indicate that the Palestinian death toll from relentless Israeli attacks on the enclave has reached 42,600.
Read also| Israel Set to Launch Counter-Attack Against Iran 'Very Soon,' Reports State Media
Read also| Russia Backs India’s Bid for Permanent Seat on UN Security Council: Foreign Minister
