The US government has approved the emergency sale of tank ammunition to Israel worth around 106 million dollars. It comes as concerns mount about the high number of civilian deaths in the Gaza Strip as Israel steps up its military operations there.

The State Department announced the sale on Saturday.

The department bypassed the normal congressional review for foreign military sales. It said Secretary of State Antony Blinken had determined "an emergency exists" requiring the immediate sale because of national security interests.

The administration of President Joe Biden says it has been urging Israel to protect civilians in Gaza.

But many have died under Israeli bombardment, and even some politicians in Biden's Democratic Party are calling for more scrutiny of arms sales to Israel.