₪5 billion shekels ($1.5 billion) will reportedly be allocated for the preparation of a potential IDF military strike against Iran’s nuclear facilities.
By Erin Viner
The total amount reflects dispensation of ₪3 billion shekels from this year’s budget combined with 2 billion set to come from the coming state budget after it has been approved by the Israeli government next month, according to the local Channel 12.
Unnamed sources cited in the report said that the funding will be used for various types of aircraft, intelligence-gathering Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), satellites and specific weaponry necessitated for an attack that would be expected to target heavily fortified underground sites in the Islamic Republic to thwart development of nuclear bombs.
The latest developments follow repeated recent warnings from Jerusalem officials over its right to take self-defensive action against Iran, which has long threatened to obliterate the Jewish State while advancing its nuclear program well beyond curbs set in the 2015 deal with world powers.
The Ayatollah regime has blatantly advanced it atomic capabilities since former United States President Donald Trump abandoned the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action in 2018, and delayed resumption of indirect talks aimed at returning both countries into compliance with the pact that stalled in June.
US and Israeli officials have reportedly discussed a so-called “Plan B” involving military action to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons in recent weeks, following the announcement from IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi last month that Israel has stepped up possible strike plans.
In related developments, the US Air Force announced earlier this week the successful testing of its new 5,000-pound (about 2,268 kilo) GBU-72 Advanced Penetrator “bunker buster bomb” that could possibly be used to strike Iranian nuclear targets.