The Trump administration is preparing to finalize one of the largest single arms deals with Israel in recent years, valued at approximately US$ 2.8 billion.
This move could spark significant controversy in the US Congress, coming amidst escalating tensions regarding the war and Israeli policies.
Citing a US official, The Washington Post revealed that the administration is preparing to sell Israel 40,000 bombs weighing 2,000 pounds each—comprising 20,000 MK-84 bombs and 20,000 BLU-117 bombs—along with 20,000 “I-2000 Penetrator” warheads.
Relevant congressional committees have been informally notified of the sale—a move that could present a new test for Democrats in Congress, particularly given the growing frustration with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the resulting unprecedented tension in relations between Washington and Tel Aviv.
Regarding humanitarian concerns associated with the use of these munitions, a senior US administration official said: “All foreign arms sales follow appropriate procedures. We do not comment on pending sales.”
Massive volume
The Washington Post noted that the volume of the new shipment exceeds previous sales of 2,000-pound munitions to Israel during the administrations of both Joe Biden and Donald Trump—including a controversial $ 2.04 billion deal that bypassed standard congressional review procedures.
A former US Army explosive ordnance disposal technician, Trevor Ball, said that Israeli forces tend to use this type of bomb heavily when targeting buildings, explaining: “If Hezbollah or any other entity is inside a building, an MK-84 bomb will destroy the entire structure.”
According to The Washington Post, US pilots nicknamed the MK-84 bomb “The Hammer” during the first Gulf War due to its immense destructive power.
This specific munition was the only 2,000-pound bomb that the administration of US President Joe Biden halted from being sent to Israel during the Gaza war, citing concerns over the high number of Palestinian civilian casualties that would result from its use.
The Washington Post reported that the Trump administration is pressuring the leaders of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee to secure approval for the sale—one of the largest US munitions deals with Israel in recent years.
