The US is preparing to give $3.5 billion to Israel to purchase American weapons and military equipment from a $14.1bn supplemental bill approved by Congress in April, an official told Anadolu.

“On Thursday, August 8 the Department notified Congress of our intent to obligate $3.5bn in FY 2024 Foreign Military Financing using funding provided by the Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act,” said a State Department spokesperson.

It was first reported by CNN, citing multiple officials familiar with the matter, saying that “it is not unusual for it to take time for money to be released from these packages.”

According to CNN, the funding was released this week as Israel and the Middle East are bracing for a potential retaliation from Iran and Hezbollah after Tel Aviv assassinated Hamas’ political chief in Tehran and a senior Hezbollah commander in Beirut.