Israel 'won't give Ukraine weapons' despite US request

Israel won't provide Ukraine with military equipment, including anti-aircraft batteries, despite the US asking to do so, according to Israeli media reports.

Ten Hawk batteries and interceptor missiles are currently stored by Israel, Hebrew-language outlet Walla said, which the US reportedly wanted to provide Ukraine.

Israeli defence official, Dror Shalom, argued that the missiles, provided by the US in the 1960s, are obsolete, although sources said it is possible to refurbish the weapons.

The US also asked other operators of the Hawk missiles to help Ukraine.

It comes after the US sent a munitions stockpile stored in Israel to Ukraine for use in the war against Russia, The New York Times reported earlier this month, under the previous Israeli administration.

An Israeli official confirmed the report to Reuters, saying that then-Prime Minister Yair Lapid approved the transfer although the United States does not formally need such consent.

While it has condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Israel has limited its assistance to Kyiv to humanitarian aid and protective gear, while ruling out any direct weapons supply.

The Israelis want to maintain a coordination hotline with Russia, set up in 2015, over their military strikes on suspected Iranian targets in Syria, where Moscow, which is the main backer of the regime of President Bashar Al-Assad, has a huge military presence.

Analysts say that Israel is also mindful of the impact a stronger position on the Ukraine invasion might have on Russia's large Jewish community.

Current Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu built close relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin during his last time in office.

Reuters contributed to this report.