The Israeli government has welcomed the US House of Representatives' passage of an emergency aid bill for Israel.

The bill was approved with bipartisan support in the chamber on Saturday. The package, worth about 26 billion dollars, includes money for military and humanitarian aid. If the bill clears the Senate, President Joe Biden will sign it into law.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu posted a message on social media. He said, "The US Congress just overwhelmingly passed a much appreciated aid bill that demonstrates strong bipartisan support for Israel and defends Western civilization."

It has been pointed out that the Israeli military needs to secure ammunition for its prolonged battles with Hamas in the Gaza Strip and its fights with others, such as the Shia Muslim group Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Meanwhile, the number of casualties in Gaza is increasing.

Health authorities in the enclave said on Sunday that the death toll has reached 34,097. This comes as the conflict between the Israeli military and Hamas continues.

Local media outlets report that at least 16 people, including nine children, were killed in Israeli strikes in the southern city of Rafah on Sunday.

The US government is backing negotiations aimed at bringing about a pause in the fighting in Gaza and the release of the hostages that are being held by Hamas. But the talks have stalled.