The US House of Representatives on Wednesday approved funding of $1 billion to replenish the Iron Dome missile defense system. The approval has been delayed for several months over objections from progressive members of Congress, leading to a number of stopgap measures, the last of which is set to expire on Friday.
Israel needs to replenish the system’s interception rockets, after depleting its supply during the 11-day cross-border conflict with Hamas, which fired some 4,400 rockets at populated areas in Israel. The Iron Dome system took out more than 80% of those rockets.
The House also approved annual defense aid for Israel of $3.8 billion.
“Thank you to the U.S. House of Representatives for passing critical security and missile defense funding for Israel in the spending package. Iron dome replenishment and missile defense will ensure Israel’s military edge, secure our citizens, and bolster US-Israel cooperation,” Israel’s Defense Minister Benny Gantz tweeted.
The funding is part of a $1.5 trillion omnibus spending package to fund the federal government for the full fiscal year.
The Senate is expected to vote on the funding in the coming days.