US approves military aid for close ally

Support for Israel despite rising civilian deaths in Gaza rankles some Democrats

The United States has approved the authorization of billions of dollars worth of bombs and fighter jets to Israel, though the administration of US President Joe Biden continues to publicly express concerns over rising civilian casualties in the Gaza enclave, a move that has rankled some Democrats in Congress.

The arms packages, approved recently, include more than 1,800 MK84 2,000-pound bombs and 500 MK82 500-pound bombs, said the sources, who confirmed a report in The Washington Post.

Rifts have emerged between the US and Israel over the conduct of the conflict, but the Biden administration views weapons transfers as off-limits when considering how to influence the actions of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to the Post.