The US this week quietly authorised the transfer of hundreds of 2,000lb bombs to Israel, despite growing concerns over a planned offensive on Rafah and a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire.
The new packages, worth billions of dollars, will include more than 1,800 MK84 2,000lb bombs and 500 MK82 500lb ones, according to reports by the Washington Post and Reuters.
The 2,000lb bombs are very rarely used by Western militaries anymore due to the scale of civilian casualties they can cause, but several investigations have shown Israel uses them extensively in Gaza.
The bombs have been linked to mass-casualty events, such as the Oct 31 bombing of Jabalia refugee camp that killed more than100 people.
