Washington ( CNN ) -- President Barack Obama has signed off on a new package of nonlethal aid for Syrian rebels , U.S. officials tell CNN , signaling his administration is cautiously wading further into the conflict . Officials said the White House approved the package at a meeting of the National Security Council last week . The move reflects what officials describe as a ramped-up effort to change the military balance on the battlefield in Syria . It follows a decision by Obama last month to send food and medicine to the rebels , the first direct U.S. support for the armed opposition . Other agencies have not been briefed on the final elements of the package , which is expected to be detailed at a White House meeting this week . `` We have no new decisions on assistance to announce at this point and continue to review every possible option that could help end the violence and accelerate a political transition , '' said Caitlin Hayden , a National Security Council spokeswoman . Officials said it is expected to include equipment such as body armor , night vision goggles and other military equipment that is defensive in nature , but could be used to aid in combat by Syrian rebels battling forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad . The package being discussed , however , still falls short of the heavy weapons and high tech equipment sought by the rebels . Obama 's national security team and members of Congress have repeatedly urged the president to increase the direct aid for the rebels . They argue such a step would strengthen the hand of moderate members of the opposition and make them less reliant on well-armed extremist elements within their ranks . Secretary of State John Kerry has pushed for more aggressive U.S. involvement in Syria since taking office in February . The move comes as Britain and France are leading efforts to lift a European Union arms embargo on Syria . Both have suggested they are prepared to join nations like Qatar is providing the rebels with weapons and are urging the United States to do the same . A push last summer from CIA , Pentagon and State Department leaders was rejected by the White House . At least for now , it remains opposed to arming the opposition , fearing that U.S.-provided weapons could wind up in the wrong hands . The Obama administration has funneled $ 385 million in humanitarian aid to Syria through international institutions and nongovernmental organizations . In addition , Washington has provided more than $ 100 million to the political opposition and has pressed them to establish a leadership structure . But the Syrian Opposition Council , the main Syrian opposition group , has roundly criticized the United States for refusing to provide badly-needed support to organize a transitional government and broaden its support inside Syria .
Move signals that the United States is wading further into the civil war . Package approved by National Security Council , and expected to be revealed next week . Aid expected to include equipment such as body armor , night vision devices . Bush is under pressure to boost direct aid to rebels .