US Prepares $2.8 Billion Arms Sale to Israel

The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump is preparing a $2.8 billion sale of munitions to Israel, according to U.S. officials cited by Reuters and The Washington Post. The proposed sale includes 20,000 MK-84 bombs and 20,000 BLU-117 bombs, each weighing approximately 2,000 pounds, as well as 20,000 I-2000 penetrator warheads designed for hardened or underground targets. The proposal has been informally shared with congressional committees that review major U.S. arms sales, but it is not yet final and must undergo the full approval process. Much of the deal is expected to be funded through the U.S. foreign military aid program, which provides Israel with funds to purchase American-made equipment. The State Department and the Israeli Embassy in Washington have not yet commented on the report. The MK-84 bombs can destroy large surface structures, while the BLU-117s have a thermal coating for naval storage. The Biden administration had previously halted a delivery of similar bombs in 2024, citing civilian risk in Gaza, a decision reversed by Trump upon his return to the White House. This sale signifies continued military cooperation between Washington and Jerusalem, despite recent tensions over the Gaza war and the conflict with Iran.