U.S. vows funds for Iron Dome, as 2 rockets are fired into Israel

Budget cuts won’t impact U.S. funding for Israel’s Iron Dome defense system, as the Pentagon has vowed $220 million for fiscal year 2014.

Israel’s Missile Defense Agency reports that the funding comes in addition to $204 million from the Pentagon for the program in 2011 and $70 million in 2012. Meanwhile, Agence France-Presse reported, the United States is also calling for another $176 million for Iron Dome in 2015.

The funding report follows a March 5 promise from Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel to Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak to continue to assist with Israel’s Iron Dome system, despite U.S. financial constraints. It also comes as Israel on Wednesday reported airstrikes from Sinai that hit in the southern city of Eilat.

Ynet News reported that two rockets believed to have been fired from the Sinai Peninsula exploded in the city, but did not cause any injuries or damages. Investigators think there was a chance the rockets could have actually come from Jordan, and are working to clarify, Ynet said.

The Iron Dome detected the launches, but did not intercept, Ynet reported.

The United States provides roughly $3 billion each year in aid to Israel, specifically for defensive purposes, AFP reported.