Trump Administration Advances $2.8 Billion Bomb Sale to Israel

The Trump administration is moving forward with a significant arms deal to Israel, valued at $2.8 billion, which includes 40,000 bombs weighing 2,000 pounds each, according to a report by The Washington Post citing a U.S. official. This transaction represents the largest single sale of this type of munition to Israel in recent years.

The package comprises 20,000 "MK-84" bombs and 20,000 "BLU-117" bombs, along with 20,000 I-2000 armor-piercing warheads. The deal is expected to be funded by U.S. foreign aid to Israel and has been informally submitted to the relevant congressional committees for approval.

A senior administration official told The Washington Post that "all arms sales to foreign countries go through the appropriate process. We do not comment on deals that are in progress." The Trump administration is reportedly working with the chairs of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee to expedite the deal's approval.

This proposed sale is considerably larger than similar previous deals involving 2,000-pound bombs approved for Israel under both the Biden and Trump administrations. These specific bombs have previously been a point of contention between the U.S. and Israel. The Biden administration halted one shipment in the spring of 2024 due to concerns about the use of heavy bombs in densely populated areas of Gaza. Trump reversed this freeze in January 2025 upon his return to the White House.

Delivery of such a large arms order could span several years.