Israel won't supply arms to Ukraine, can help deploy rocket alert system - defense minister

JERUSALEM. Oct 19 (Interfax) - Israel will not supply weapons to Ukraine but might help it set up a civil system of early warning about missile strikes, Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz said at a meeting with the EU ambassadors.

"I would like to emphasize that Israel will not transfer weapon systems to Ukraine due to a variety of operational considerations. We will continue to support Ukraine within our limitations, as we have done so far," the Times of Israel quoted Gantz as saying.

Israel is providing Ukraine with humanitarian support and supplying it with life-saving systems and defensive equipment, Gantz said.

"As part of the expansion of aid and the supply of life-saving equipment, after a conversation with representatives from Ukraine, we applied for data that would allow us to assist in the construction and supply of a smart alert system like there is in Israel against aerial and other threats," Gantz said.

Media have reported earlier that Israeli Minister for Diaspora Affairs Nachman Shai said Israel should start providing military assistance to Ukraine, now that Iran has allegedly started supplying ballistic missiles to Russia.