US Prepares $2.8 Billion Sale of Heavy Bombs to Israel

The Trump administration has moved to approve a $2.8 billion arms sale to Israel that includes 40,000 heavy bombs, according to three sources familiar with the transaction. The package consists of 20,000 MK-84 bombs and 20,000 BLU-117 bombs, both types being powerful, general-purpose munitions with a wide blast radius. The sources indicated that other explosives are also part of the sale.

These types of bombs have raised concerns due to the significant risk they pose to civilians in densely populated areas. While the State Department has provided informal notification to key congressional committees about the pending sale, a formal review process has not yet begun, and the package remains unfinalized.

The State Department typically does not comment on potential arms sales before they are formally presented to Congress. A department spokesperson stated, "The United States reserves the right to protect its national and international interests. Our commitment to Israel is ironclad. Israel has the right to defend itself, and the United States supports Israel taking necessary action to defend its country, consistent with international law."

The administration's decision to proceed with the proposed sale occurs despite recent public disagreements between President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu concerning post-war strategies for Gaza and the escalation of military activity in Lebanon.

Previous sales of 2,000-pound bombs to Israel have faced scrutiny. In 2024, amid criticism of Israel's military operations in Gaza and concerns over Palestinian civilian casualties, the Biden administration had paused a shipment of these munitions. The pause was later lifted in early 2025 when the Trump administration invoked emergency measures to expedite another arms sale to Israel, which included 35,500 MK 84 and BLU-117 bombs, bypassing standard congressional review.

While the conflict in Gaza has seen a significant reduction in fighting since a U.S.-backed ceasefire was implemented in October 2025, Israeli strikes have continued. Israeli authorities cite efforts by Hamas to regroup as the reason for these ongoing operations. President Donald Trump recently commented that there is not much fighting in Gaza and that Hamas is willing to disarm.

Although Hamas has agreed to a U.S.-brokered plan that requires the group to disarm, disagreements persist regarding the timeline and execution, with both sides accusing the other of violating the terms. U.S. envoys have been engaged in efforts to advance the peace process, but some officials anticipate that substantial progress is unlikely before Israel's legislative elections scheduled for late October.