Israeli lawmakers approve amended war budget for 2024 in initial vote

[February 08, 2024]  JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel's parliament gave its initial approval to an amended 2024 state budget that adds tens of billions of shekels to fund Israel's war against Hamas, with higher defense spending and compensation to households and businesses hurt by the conflict. 

The Knesset, the Israel parliament, is lit in yellow in support of the hostages who are being held in Gaza after they were kidnapped from Israel by Hamas gunmen, as the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas continues, in Jerusalem, December 31, 2023. REUTERS/Ilan Rosenberg/File Photo

Lawmakers voted 57-50 to approve the spending package of 584 billion shekels ($159 billion), or 724 billion including debt repayment, according to a statement by the Knesset, Israel's parliament.

The budget now heads for debate in parliament's finance committee, where it may undergo adjustments ahead of its second and third votes expected later this month. The budget needs to pass three votes to become law.

($1 = 3.6654 shekels)

(Reporting by Steven Scheer)

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