Special to WorldTribune.com

WASHINGTON — The United States has agreed to replenish Israel’s munitions stock.

Officials said the administration of President Barack Obama approved an Israeli request to draw from U.S. military stockpiles inside the Jewish state. Under the War Reserves Stock Allies-Israel program, Israel could access the U.S. stockpile in an emergency.

“The United States is committed to the security of Israel, and it is vital to U.S. national interests to assist Israel to develop and maintain a strong and ready self-defense capability,” Defense Department spokesman John Kirby said on July 31. “This defense sale is consistent with those objectives.”

Officials said Israel requested to draw from the U.S. military stockpile on July 20 amid the war with Hamas. They said the Pentagon approved the Israeli request three days later.

The Israeli request was said to have focused on 120mm mortars and 40mm grenades from the U.S. stockpile. Officials said Israel submitted additional requests for U.S.-origin munitions.

On July 30, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel telephoned his Israeli counterpart, Moshe Ya’alon, to discuss the war in the Gaza Strip. Hagel was said to have urged Israel to agree to a ceasefire with Hamas.

“Secretary Hagel also expressed the United States’ continued concern about the rising number of Palestinian civilian deaths and loss of Israeli lives, as well as the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza,” Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said.

  120mm mortars, 40mm grenades, approves Israeli request for emergency munitions, grenades from U.S. stockpile, John Kirby, Moshe Ya’alon, U.S. waits 3 days