US set to approve 60,000 heavy bombs for Israel: What that means

The Trump administration is planning to sell Israel $2.8 billion worth of 2,000-pound bombs, including 40,000 MK-84 general-purpose bombs and BLU-117 variants. This significant arms sale, funded through U.S. Foreign Military Financing, has drawn criticism due to Israel's past use of similar munitions in Gaza and Lebanon, including in civilian-designated areas. Rights groups have voiced concerns over the potential for mass civilian targeting. The deal has been informally notified to congressional committees, though the administration and State Department have declined to comment on proposed sales before formal notification. The MK-84 bomb is described as a highly destructive munition with a wide blast radius.

The Trump administration is planning to deliver 40,000 bombs, including 20,000 MK-84 and 20,000 BLU-117 2,000lb bombs, to Israel as part of a $2.8 billion arms deal. These powerful weapons previously caused concern about mass casualties in Gaza, leading the Biden administration to pause their delivery two years ago. The deal, which is not yet final, is largely funded by US taxpayer dollars through foreign military financing. This proposed sale follows previous arms deals approved by the Trump administration, including a nearly $3 billion sale last year that also included these types of bombs. The 2,000lb bombs have been used in strikes in Gaza and Lebanon, with some variants designed for deep penetration and others for widespread damage.

The Trump administration is reportedly set to approve a $2.8 billion arms package for Israel. This package includes 40,000 bombs, specifically 20,000 Mk84s and 20,000 BLU-117s, which are high-explosive, low-drag general-purpose bombs. Some of these bombs are designed for deep underground targets, while others are intended for above-ground detonation and widespread damage. Congress has been informally notified of the pending deal, with most of the cost to be covered by foreign military financing from U.S. taxpayer dollars. A senior administration official confirmed that all foreign arms sales undergo the appropriate process but declined to comment on specific pending transactions.