Trump Administration Plans $2.8 Billion Military Aid Package for Israel

The Trump administration is reportedly preparing a military aid package for Israel valued at $2.8 billion, according to an American official who spoke to Reuters. The proposed deal includes 40,000 bombs weighing 2,000 pounds each, along with tens of thousands of additional heavy munitions.

The informal proposal has been submitted to the relevant congressional committees that oversee significant U.S. arms deals. Neither the U.S. State Department nor the Israeli Embassy in Washington has commented on the report at this time.

This news emerges just weeks after President Donald Trump assured Israel of his support amid escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran. In a previous interview, Trump stated, "Israel doesn't need to worry. You know why? Because I'm the President, and I will take care of Israel."

The potential arms deal follows a House of Representatives vote in July where a proposed amendment to a bill that would have canceled $3.3 billion in military and foreign aid to Israel was defeated. The amendment, initiated by Republican Congressman Thomas Massie of Kentucky, a prominent critic of foreign aid within his party, sought to end aid to Israel, which Massie described as the "biggest recipient of U.S. taxpayer money." He was the sole Republican to support the amendment.