The U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved a bill to give Israel $225 million to restock its Iron Dome missile defense system, as the Jewish state's cease-fire with Hamas unraveled and Israeli forces pushed deep into Gaza in search of a missing army officer.
The House's 395-8 vote in favor late Friday followed Senate adoption of the legislation by voice vote earlier in the day. The money is directed toward restocking Israel's Iron Dome, which has been credited with shooting down dozens of incoming rockets fired by Palestinian militants over 3½ weeks of war. The bill now goes to President Barack Obama for his signature.
Obama on Friday cited Iron Dome as a concrete way the U.S. is helping "make sure that Israel is able to protect its citizens."
On Friday, at least 140 Palestinians and two Israeli soldiers were killed in fighting, and another Israeli soldier is missing and may have been captured by militants. More than 1,600 Palestinians, mostly civilians, and more than 60 Israelis, mostly soldiers, have been killed in the conflict, which began July 8.
IN-DEPTH
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