The administration of US President Donald Trump is preparing to sell Israel a $2.8bn package of 907kg (2,000-pound) bombs, marking the largest single munitions transaction of its kind in recent years. Reports published by the Washington Post and AFP detailed the expansive military agreement.
Congressional committees have been informally notified of the proposed arrangement.
The acquisition is funded through Foreign Military Financing, a mechanism where Washington provides financial grants that Israel uses to procure American military equipment. The package includes 40,000 munitions, comprising 20,000 MK-84 general-purpose bombs, 20,000 BLU-117 thermally coated variants optimized for safe naval storage, and I-2000 Penetrator warheads engineered to destroy fortified underground structures.
According to defense analysts, the MK-84 is among the most destructive explosive devices in Western arsenals, possessing a blast radius capable of leveling multistory buildings and penetrating thick concrete barriers. Human rights organizations have repeatedly criticized Israel`s previous deployment of 907kg bombs across densely populated areas in Gaza and Lebanon, including zones previously designated as civilian safe spaces.
The current push follows the previous Biden administration`s decision in 2024 to pause a single shipment of similar heavy munitions over civilian casualty concerns.
President Trump reversed that temporary pause during his first month back in office. The announcement arrives amid underlying political friction between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, alongside mounting bipartisan debate within Washington regarding unconditional military assistance.
US Senator Chris Van Hollen stated he would actively work to legislative block the sale, while conservative commentator Tucker Carlson and other political figures voiced strong opposition. Policy analysts suggest the timing reflects Israel`s strategic effort to secure expansive US backing now, wary that future administrations might alter unconditional military commitments.
