The United States is reportedly preparing a $2.8 billion arms package for the Israeli regime that includes thousands of heavy bombs used in its military operations in Gaza, according to US media reports.

The proposed package has reportedly been submitted to the US Congress through the informal notification process and includes 20,000 MK-84 2,000-pound bombs, 20,000 BLU-117 bomb bodies, and 20,000 penetrating warheads. If approved, it would rank among the largest single munitions sales to the Israeli regime in recent years.

The MK-84, a 2,000-pound (around one-ton) general-purpose bomb, has been widely used by the Israeli military during its assault on the Gaza Strip. The weapon is capable of penetrating reinforced concrete structures and creating large blast craters, and its use in densely populated areas has repeatedly drawn criticism from international humanitarian organizations.

US officials said all foreign military sales are subject to established legal procedures and declined to comment on transactions that have not yet been finalized.

The reported package comes despite continued international concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza and follows a series of previous US military assistance and arms transfers to the Israeli regime since the outbreak of the war.

The administration has previously approved several emergency weapons transfers to the Israeli regime, in some cases bypassing the traditional congressional review process by invoking emergency authorities, drawing criticism from lawmakers and human rights groups.(ILKHA)