WASHINGTON — In a major move highlighting continued U.S. backing for its ally, the Trump administration is preparing a $2.8 billion weapons package for Israel that includes 40,000 heavy bombs and advanced warheads, according to U.S. officials familiar with the discussions.
The proposed transaction, which has been informally communicated to relevant congressional committees, revives the transfer of high-payload munitions whose delivery was previously paused by the Biden administration in 2024 due to widespread international concerns over civilian casualties in densely populated areas like Gaza.
According to sources, the package features 20,000 MK-84 bombs, 20,000 BLU-117 bombs, and 20,000 I-2000 Penetrator warheads. Much of the purchase is expected to be funded through foreign military financing, utilizing U.S. taxpayer-backed aid designated for Israel’s defense acquisitions.
While a senior White House official declined to comment on pending transactions, noting only that foreign arms sales are moving through standard procedures, human rights experts and international observers have raised fresh alarms. The 2,000-pound bombs—capable of leveling entire buildings and causing extensive fragmentation—have frequently faced scrutiny when deployed in urban environments.
Military analysts point out that while these munitions are often utilized to target subterranean infrastructure or fortified positions, their sheer destructive radius presents severe risks to non-combatants. The deal underscores the resilient strategic partnership between Washington and Jerusalem, even as the ongoing humanitarian toll and the framework of regional ceasefires remain under intense global review.
