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The United States is re-arming Israel to wage its offensive on the Gaza Strip while condemning its attacks.

The Pentagon has confirmed that it is supplying the Israeli army with grenades and mortar rounds as Barack Obama called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

The US government agreed to allow Israel access to a weapons stash it stores locally for US use that Israel can only access in emergency situations.

Israel, however, did not cite an emergency when it made its latest request 10 days ago it has been reported.

Washington allowed Israel to access the stockpile to resupply itself with 40mm grenades and 120mm mortar rounds as outrage erupts over Israel's targeting of UN schools where dozens of innocent children have been killed.

Pentagon's press secretary John Kirby said: "Both munitions had been in WRSA-I stock for a few years, well before the current crisis.

"All stocks in WRSA-I, as required by law, are 'in excess to US requirements'.

"Issuing munitions from the WRSA-I stockpile was strictly a sourcing decision and White House approval was not required.

"The United States is committed to the security of Israel, and it is vital to US national interests to assist Israel to develop and maintain a strong and ready self-defence capability.

"This defence sale is consistent with those objectives."

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has condemned an Israeli strike on a Gaza school that killed 15 people as "unjustifiable,” calling for those responsible to be held to account.

He said: "Nothing is more shameful than attacking sleeping children.

“This morning, a UN school sheltering thousands of Palestinian families suffered a reprehensible attack.

“It is unjustifiable, and demands accountability and justice.”

The Seanad is sitting today to discuss the crisis in Gaza and how the Irish government should respond to it.