Trump plans sale of 40,000 heavy bombs to Israel worth $2.8 billion
The package—20,000 Mk84 and 20,000 BLU-117 bombs—would be paid largely through U.S. military financing as fighting in Gaza continues.
President Donald Trump’s administration plans to sell Israel 40,000 heavy bombs — each about 900 kilograms — as part of an arms package valued at $2.8 billion, U.S. officials said.
The shipment would include 20,000 Mk84 bombs and 20,000 BLU-117 warheads, according to officials familiar with the plan who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Financing and congressional notification
Washington has given informal notice of the proposed sale to Congress. Much of the purchase is expected to be paid for through a U.S. military financing program that provides funds to Israel for acquiring American weapons.
The planned delivery revives a dispute over these munitions: the Biden administration delayed a similar shipment in 2024 amid concerns that their use in densely populated areas of Gaza could cause large numbers of civilian casualties. After Trump returned to office, he lifted the restriction.
This announcement follows a series of recent approvals that have expanded Israel’s military stockpile. Last year the United States approved an arms sale bypassing the usual congressional review worth nearly $3 billion, which included more than 35,500 similar bombs. In January this year the administration approved additional weapons sales to Israel valued at $6.67 billion.
The new shipment comes as the war in Gaza continues, with tens of thousands of Palestinians killed and much of the enclave devastated. Although the United States has helped mediate cease-fire attempts, violence has persisted.
Photo: press material from the event
