WASHINGTON — Israel has asked the United States for immediate
shipments of military fuel.
On July 25, the Defense Department awarded a $22.5 million contract for
diesel fuel to Israel. Under the contract, Refinery Associates of Texas
would supply diesel fuel to Israel's military in a program financed by U.S.
defense aid.
Officials said Israel's military requires immediate supplies of jet and
other fuel to maintain the war against Hizbullah, Middle East Newsline reported. They said the Israeli
request would accelerate existing contracts.
A Pentagon announcement said the fuel would be delivered through France.
The fuel was expected to arrive in Israel by Monday.
Officials said the Israeli war has taken a major toll on the military's
logistics and supplies. They said Israel has already requested jet fuel for
its fleet of combat aircraft.
Over the last week, officials said, the United States has flown GBU-28
bunker-busting weapons to Israel through Britain. They said the effort has
been coordinated with the government of British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
