Trump Administration Plans $2.8 Billion Munitions Sale to Israel

The Trump administration is planning a $2.8 billion munitions sale to Israel, which would include 40,000 bombs, a congressman on the House Armed Services Committee told JNS. The proposed sale comprises 20,000 MK 84 bombs and 20,000 BLU-117 2,000-pound bombs.

The administration has informally notified congressional committees that review major U.S. arms sales of the proposal. The congressman spoke to JNS on background. The sale has not yet been finalized.

Some Democratic lawmakers have indicated they would oppose the sale. Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) stated the proposed sale is “beyond acceptable,” asserting that “U.S. weapons are being used to perpetrate a genocide.”

However, John Spencer, an expert on urban warfare, argued against focusing solely on the type of munition. "The primary purpose of 2,000-pound munitions, including general purpose bombs like the MK-84 and BLU-117, satellite-guided units like the GBU-31 and specialized penetrator warheads like the I-2000, is to destroy heavily fortified structures, reinforced concrete buildings, deeply buried tunnel networks and underground military bunkers,” Spencer said. "Conducting operations against them requires heavy, large-diameter, penetrating munitions."

The Washington Post first reported on the administration's plans for the munitions sale.