Netanyahu Urges War Budget Increase Due to Costly Gaza War

Local Editor

"Israel's" Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday called for an increase in war spending, after a bloody and costly aggression in seized Gaza.

Netanyahu said in a statement, "There is no leader who, faced with the threats that are multiplying around us, would not allow or demand a significant increase in the [war] budget, to counter security challenges."

Such an increase would likely involve 7 billion "Israeli" shekels, he said.

Netanyahu and War Minister Moshe Yaalon have been fighting for a big hike in war spending against fierce resistance from Finance Minister Yair Lapid.

War spending meanwhile is expected to reach $18 billion this year-- and includes some $3 billion in aid from ally the United States.

Additionally, the war ministry has demanded a grant for a similar sum to restock on ammunition, including for its Iron Dome war system.

"Israeli" media say the treasury wants to limit the sum to $690 million. If it gives into the financial demands of a military lobby, the "Israeli" government could be forced to cut budgets elsewhere, particularly in education, and to increase taxes, bringing socio-economic pressure on itself.

"Israel" waged a 50-day aggression against the seized Gaza Strip during July and August, in a conflict that cost more than 2,100 Palestinian lives.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team