The United States is preparing a $2.8bn (€2.42bn) weapons package for Israel that would include about 40,000 heavy aircraft bombs, according to two US officials and a person familiar with the proposed deal.
The package includes 2,000-pound (900kg) Mk84 and BLU-117 bombs, weapons that have previously raised concerns over the potential for large numbers of civilian casualties in Gaza.
The Biden administration halted delivery of the bombs about two years ago amid concerns over their use in densely populated areas of Gaza. The suspension was later lifted by President Donald Trump after he returned to office.
The proposed sale has been informally presented to members of Congress, with most of the cost expected to be covered through US foreign military financing. Under the arrangement, US taxpayer funds are provided to Israel, which can then use the money to purchase American-made military equipment.
The planned shipment is the latest in a series of measures by the Trump administration aimed at strengthening Israel’s military capabilities.
Israel’s war in Gaza has resulted in tens of thousands of Palestinian deaths and widespread destruction across the territory. Although the US helped broker a fragile ceasefire, violence has continued.
The weapons package, previously reported by The Washington Post, comes as Israel faces growing international criticism and diplomatic isolation over its military campaign in Gaza, which followed the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023.
The proposed sale also underscores the continued strength of military cooperation between Washington and Tel Aviv, despite reports of tensions between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The relationship between the two leaders has reportedly been affected by disagreements linked to the conflict involving Iran. The US and Israel launched the war against Iran in February, while Trump had expressed frustration with Netanyahu over issues surrounding the Iran conflict before their July meeting at the White House.
The latest proposal follows a series of major US arms deals with Israel under Trump.
Last year, his administration bypassed the usual congressional review process to approve an arms sale worth nearly $3bn to Israel. That package included more than 35,500 bombs.
In January, the Trump administration also approved another series of arms sales to Israel worth a combined $6.67bn.
The planned delivery of another 40,000 heavy bombs therefore represents a further expansion of US military support for Israel as international scrutiny of its war in Gaza continues.
