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August 15, 2014

U.S. Blocks Missile Shipment to Israel amid Alleged White House-Pentagon Spat 
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The United States has blocked a shipment of Hellfire missiles to Israel
and tightened its approval process for future deals. According to The
Wall Street Journal, the move came after officials at the White House
and State Department discovered the Pentagon had supplied arms to Israel
without their approval. Just hours after Israel's shelling of a U.N.
school last month, the Pentagon confirmed it had resupplied Israeli
ammunition. An unnamed diplomat told The Wall Street Journal officials
were "blindsided" by the deal, although an unnamed defense official said
it was handled properly. Britain has said it is prepared to suspend some
arms exports to Israel if its assault on Gaza resumes. A new five-day
ceasefire began Thursday and appears to be holding. Israel is now facing
an inquiry from a U.N. panel over possible war crimes committed during
the offensive in Gaza, which killed nearly 2,000 Palestinians, most of
them civilians. Sixty-four Israeli soldiers and three civilians in
Israel were killed. On social media, Palestinians have been posting
messages of solidarity and advice on how to deal with tear gas to
protesters in Ferguson, Missouri.

 

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