Biden plans to send $8 billion worth of weapons to Israel

The US State Department has notified Congress of a planned $8bn (£6.4bn) arms sale to Israel, a US official has confirmed to the BBC.

The weapons shipment, which requires approval by House and Senate committees, includes air-to-air missiles to be used against airborne threats, including drones, the official said.

The move comes just over two weeks before President Joe Biden leaves office. A source familiar with the sale told the BBC: “The president has made it clear that Israel has the right to protect its citizens under international law and international humanitarian law.”

In August, the US approved the sale of $20 billion worth of fighter jets and other military equipment to Israel.