US Prepares $2.8 Billion Bomb Sale to Israel

The United States administration is preparing a $2.8 billion sale of 2,000-pound bombs to Israel, marking the largest single sale of this munition in recent years. According to a U.S. official speaking to The Washington Post, the package includes 40,000 bombs, comprising 20,000 MK-84 bombs and 20,000 BLU-117 bombs. The deal also encompasses 20,000 I-2000 Penetrator warheads, designed for bunker busting. The MK-84 is described as one of the most lethal weapons in Western arsenals, capable of penetrating thick materials and causing significant ground craters.

The sale has been informally presented to relevant congressional committees. A senior administration official acknowledged humanitarian concerns, stating that all foreign arms sales undergo a proper process and declined to comment on ongoing transactions. The Israeli Embassy has not yet responded to requests for comment.

This transaction exceeds previous sales of similar weight munitions to Israel under both the Biden and Trump administrations, including a $2.04 billion deal in 2025 that bypassed standard congressional review. The report notes that these heavy bombs have been used by Israel hundreds of times in Gaza and Lebanon, contributing significantly to casualties in those conflicts. Israel has faced criticism for routinely employing MK-84 bombs in areas designated as safe for civilians in Gaza.

Trevor Ball, a former U.S. Army bomb disposal technician, stated that the MK-84 is frequently used by Israel when targeting buildings, capable of destroying an entire structure. Notably, this specific type of bomb was the sole munition whose delivery to Israel was halted by the Biden administration during the Gaza war due to concerns over civilian harm, a suspension that occurred in the spring of 2024. Former President Trump is expected to reverse this policy upon resuming office in January 2025.

Brian Finnegan, a senior advisor at the International Crisis Group, expressed serious concerns about the potential use of such weapons in densely populated areas, given Israel's conduct in Gaza and southern Lebanon, questioning the legitimacy of Israeli military targets. He added that while delivery could take years, the approval of such deals sends a broader message about bilateral relations. Finnegan suggested that if the Trump administration's goal is to de-escalate regional tensions, the timing of this sale is unusual, conveying a vote of confidence in Israel regardless of intent. The Trump administration is reportedly pressuring Senate and House foreign relations committees to approve the deal.