Trump Administration Approves $2.8 Billion Bomb Sale to Israel
The Trump administration is moving forward with a massive arms deal to sell approximately 40,000 heavy bombs to Israel, valued at $2.8 billion. This significant sale, which includes 20,000 MK-84 bombs and 20,000 BLU-117 bombs, is being funded by U.S. taxpayers and has been sent to Congress for approval.
The deal arrives amid heightened political tensions in the United States regarding military aid to Israel, particularly with the upcoming midterm elections in November. The sale presents a political challenge for Democrats, as a growing number of them have expressed frustration with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the U.S.-Israel relationship is reportedly strained.
The MK-84 bomb is described as one of the most lethal in the Western arsenal, capable of penetrating thick concrete and metal, often creating large craters. The BLU-117 is similar but features a thermal protective coating, allowing for storage on ships. The I-2000 Penetrator, designed for hardened targets and bunkers, is also part of the package.
This transaction marks the largest single sale of heavy munitions to Israel in recent years, surpassing deals made under both the Biden and previous Trump administrations. The U.S. government has stated that all foreign arms sales undergo a standard review process and declined to comment on specific concerns.
Past use of similar heavy bombs in populated areas like Gaza and Lebanon has drawn significant criticism against Israel in the U.S. The Biden administration had previously paused shipments of such heavy bombs in the spring of 2024, a suspension that President-elect Trump is expected to reverse upon taking office in January 2025.
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