Undeterred by world’s reaction, US restocks Israeli ammunition
1 Aug 2014 5:52 AM IST
‘The United States is committed to the security of Israel, and it is vital to US national interests to assist Israel to develop and maintain a strong and ready self-defense capability. This defense sale is consistent with those objectives,’ Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby said.
On 20 July, Pentagon received a letter of request from Israel for a normal Foreign Military Sales delivery of ammunition. The request was process and the deal was signed three days letter. Kirby said two of the requested munitions were available in the War Reserve Stockpile Ammunition-Israel (WRSA-I), on the ground in Israel, and were therefore delivered to the Israeli Defense Force from the stockpile.
‘Both munitions had been in WRSA-I stock for a few years, well before the current crisis. All stocks in WRSA-I, as required by law, are ‘in excess to US requirements’. Issuing munitions from the WRSA-I stockpile was strictly a sourcing decision and White House approval was not required,’ Kirby said.
Earlier in the day, US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel spoke with his Israeli counterpart Moshe Ya’alon on the situation in Gaza. ‘Hagel reiterated the United States’ support for Israel’s security and its right to defend itself. Hagel also expressed the US’ continued concern about the rising number of Palestinian civilian deaths and loss of Israeli lives, as well as the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza,’ Kirby said.
‘We also condemn those responsible for hiding weapons in the UN facilities in Gaza,’ White House Deputy Press Secretary Eric Schultz said.
On 20 July, Pentagon received a letter of request from Israel for a normal Foreign Military Sales delivery of ammunition. The request was process and the deal was signed three days letter. Kirby said two of the requested munitions were available in the War Reserve Stockpile Ammunition-Israel (WRSA-I), on the ground in Israel, and were therefore delivered to the Israeli Defense Force from the stockpile.
‘Both munitions had been in WRSA-I stock for a few years, well before the current crisis. All stocks in WRSA-I, as required by law, are ‘in excess to US requirements’. Issuing munitions from the WRSA-I stockpile was strictly a sourcing decision and White House approval was not required,’ Kirby said.
Earlier in the day, US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel spoke with his Israeli counterpart Moshe Ya’alon on the situation in Gaza. ‘Hagel reiterated the United States’ support for Israel’s security and its right to defend itself. Hagel also expressed the US’ continued concern about the rising number of Palestinian civilian deaths and loss of Israeli lives, as well as the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza,’ Kirby said.
‘We also condemn those responsible for hiding weapons in the UN facilities in Gaza,’ White House Deputy Press Secretary Eric Schultz said.
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