US approves transfer of 25 F-35 jets, 2,300 bombs to Israel despite criticism

The US government has approved the transfer of 25 F-35 warplanes and 2,300 bombs worth over billions of dollars to Israel, said a report.

These include over 1,800 MK84 bombs and 500 MK82 bombs, reported The Washington Post. 

This was reportedly part of a larger package approved by the Congress as early as 2008.

This comes even as the Biden administration criticized Israel's military offensive in Rafah.

Washington gives $3.8 billion in annual military aid to Tel Aviv, its all-weather ally. 

Earlier this week, the US had abstained from a vote on a resolution calling for immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

The abstention drew criticism from Tel Aviv but some of the Democratic Party members in the US have urged Joe Biden to cut military aid to Israel.

Biden, however, expressed continued support for Tel Aviv while also acknowledging the "pain being felt" by Arab Americans over the ongoing Gaza war.

According to Palestinian health authorities, 32,000 people have been killed in Gaza since October 7 Hamas attack on Israel.