The Israeli Finance Ministry said the government has approved an updated wartime budget for 2024, with significant increases in defense spending amid the raging fighting with Hamas in Gaza.
The original budget for 2024 was approved by Parliament in May 2023, but the war that began following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attackprompted a new budget to cover the higher costs
The updated budget, which needs parliamentary approval, was set at 582 billion shekels ($155 billion ), including an extra 55 billion shekels for defense to cover combat expenses and strengthen the army.