Israel to Increase Defense Spending amid Ongoing Deadly War in Gaza
Both ministers added that the budget agreement will allow the Defense Ministry to 'advance urgent and essential procurement deals critical to national security.'
Crucially, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich stated that the new budget 'fully covers the intense fighting in Gaza, alongside comprehensive security preparations for all threats — from the south, the north, and more distant arenas.'
Since the beginning of Gaza War, Israeli military costs have witnessed unprecedented growth.
Along with the deadly war in Gaza, Israel has also been in war with Hezbollah in Lebanon and with Iran over Tehran's nuclear program.
Moreover, Israel launched several airstrikes in Syria this week after pledging to destroy government forces that attack Druze minority in southern Syria.
Apart from this, Israel's missile defense systems have been intercepting almost daily missiles fired by Hezbollah, Iran and Houthis in Yemen.
Currently, the Israeli government's defense spending is 110 billion shekels – approximately 9% of gross domestic product – out of a total 2025 budget of 756 billion shekels.
Director General of the Defense Ministry, Amir Baram, said that the extra budgetary funding 'will allow the Defense Ministry to immediately sign procurement deals for the weapons and ammunition required to replenish depleted stocks and support the IDF's ongoing operations.'
Baram also added that the funding will also enable the defense establishment to set development programs to elevate the Israel Defense Forces' qualitative edge for future systems.
Related Topics:
Trump, Qatari PM to Discuss Gaza Deal at White House
Gaza Talks Stalled as Hamas, Israel Trade Blame
UN: Nearly 800 Killed Seeking Aid in Gaza Amid Ceasefire Talks
Short link :
Post Views: 18
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Saudi Gazette
3 hours ago
- Saudi Gazette
Clashes continue in Suwayda despite Syria ceasefire implementation
DAMASCUS — Armed clashes continued Saturday between Bedouin tribal fighters and local armed groups in Syria's southern province of Suwayda, despite the launch of a nationwide ceasefire and the deployment of internal security forces. According to the state-run Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), security units have begun moving into Suwayda and surrounding areas to enforce the ceasefire agreement and restore stability. However, heavy fighting was still reported in multiple parts of the province, underscoring the fragile nature of the truce. The presidency in Damascus announced the ceasefire earlier Saturday following days of violent unrest that erupted on July 13 between Bedouin Arab tribes and armed Druze factions. The violence escalated sharply when Israel launched airstrikes on Syrian military positions, including targets in the capital, Damascus. Tel Aviv claimed its actions were aimed at protecting Druze communities near the border. The flare-up is the latest challenge for Syria's new transitional government, which took power in January after longtime leader Bashar al-Assad fled to Russia in December, effectively ending more than six decades of Baath Party rule. President Ahmad al-Sharaa now leads the interim administration, tasked with restoring order and rebuilding state institutions. Saturday's deployment of internal security units is part of that effort. However, continued clashes in Suwayda highlight deep divisions and the complex tribal and sectarian dynamics that remain unresolved, even amid broader political transition and attempts at stabilization. — Agencies
Leaders
6 hours ago
- Leaders
Israel Declines Visa Extension for Top UN Humanitarian Official
A UN spokesperson unveiled on Friday that Israel has refused to renew the visa for Jonathan Whittall, the senior UN aid official for the occupied Palestinian territories, according to The Washington Post. Eri Kaneko also noted that there were growing threats of reduced access to suffering civilians. 'Last week, it was indicated to us that our current Head of Office, Jonathan Whittall, won't have his visa extended by Israeli authorities beyond August. This came immediately after remarks he made at a press briefing about starving people being killed while trying to reach food,' Kaneko said. He added that Isarel has recently renewed visas for UN staff for shorter periods than usual. Meanwhile, it denied access requests to Gaza for multiple agencies. Moreover, Israel withheld permits for Palestinian staff to enter East Jerusalem. Israel has been under growing criticism from the UN during its war in Gaza that has internally displaced Gaza's entire population and caused one of the worst humanitarian crises worldwide. Call for Abolishing Investigation Body In a response, Israel has urged the UN Human Rights Council to abolish the commission of inquiry into human rights violations in the Palestinian territories and Israel, according to Reuters. It also accused the council of bias and discrimination. In the message sent on Wednesday, Israel's Ambassador to the UN, Daniel Meron, said The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel, discriminated against his country. Israel has repeatedly criticized findings by the UN-mandated commission, that has denounced the Israeli military's actions since it has launched its military campaign in Gaza in October 2023. Council spokesperson Pascal Sim said that Council President Jurg Lauber had already received the letter, but it would be up to the Council's 47 members to abolish the commission. In March, the commission concluded that Israel had carried out 'genocidal acts' against Palestinians during its war in Gaza. Since the beginning of Hamas-Israel War in Gaza in 2023, the Israeli strikes have killed more than 57,000 Palestinians and wounded more than 137,000, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. Related Topics: Israel Seeks US Support to Expel Palestinians out of Gaza: Report Syria, Israel Agree on Ceasefire amid Sweida Clashes: US Envoy Slovenia Announces 2 Israeli Ministers Persona Non Grata Short link : Post Views: 100
Leaders
6 hours ago
- Leaders
Palestinians Protest against Settler Outpost at West Bank
Clashes between Palestinians and the Israeli army broke out on Friday during a march against a newly established Israeli settlement outpost in a village in the northern occupied West Bank, according to AFP. All Israeli settlements in the West Bank are illegal under international law. However, approximately 1 million Israeli settlers live in illegal settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem in violation of international law. Meanwhile, settler outposts are also prohibited under Israeli law. During the march, a group of Palestinians walked from Raba toward a nearby hill on top of which settlers had established the outpost. 'We came to this area to express our protest and say: 'this land is ours, not yours',' Ghassan Bazour, head of Raba's village council, told AFP. They performed Friday prayer at the base of the hill and continued toward the outpost. At that time, Israeli soldiers arrived on the scene and dispersed the crowd with tear gas, an AFP journalist reported. As a result, 13 people suffered from tear gas inhalation and received medical care from the Palestinian Red Crescent. Bazour stated that settlers had originally taken over the hill's high ground to establish an outpost and prevent Palestinians from accessing nearby agricultural lands. 'There is now a settler outpost here (which) will continue to devour the land and empty these areas,' Muayad Shaaban, head of the Palestinian Authority's Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission, told AFP. Mounting Violence Violence against Palestinians in the West Bank has been growing since the Hamas attack of October 2023 with increasing number of killings and attacks by settlers and security forces. OHCHR noted that settlers have launched 757 attacks on Palestinians or their properties since January 2025. In May, Defense Minister Israel Katz said that Israel planned to build a 'Jewish Israeli state' in the occupied West Bank, according to Al-Arabiya. Katz's remarks followed Israel's announcement of the creation of 22 new settlements in the West Bank. Related Topics: UN Rights Office Reports Increasing Settler Attacks in Occupied West Bank Israel Kills American Citizens in West Bank, Anger Turns toward US Israel Detains Pro-Palestine Activists in West Bank amid Settler Violence Short link : Post Views: 20
