US Senate approves $225 million for Israeli 'Iron Dome' missile defence system

Washington: The US Senate unanimously passed legislation on Friday to provide $225 million in emergency funding for Israel's 'Iron Dome' missile defence system.

An earlier version of the funding plan had failed on Thursday when Senate Republicans blocked a broader spending bill that was largely intended to provide money to handle the current immigration crisis at the US-Mexico border.

But lawmakers reached an agreement overnight to pass the missile funding measure.

To become law, the funding plan must still pass the House of Representatives and be signed by President Barack Obama. Given US lawmakers traditionally strong support for Israel, it is not expected to encounter significant resistance in the House.

Israel's Iron Dome missile interceptor system, which was partly funded by the United States, has shot down most of the rockets fired at its cities by militants in Gaza during the current three-week conflict.