U.S. Plans $2.8 Billion Bomb Sale to Israel

President Donald Trump’s administration is preparing a $2.8 billion munitions package for Israel that would include 40,000 2,000-pound bombs—20,000 MK-84s and 20,000 BLU-117s—along with 20,000 I-2000 penetrator warheads. The proposed sale, informally presented to congressional committees, would be among the largest U.S. transfers of such weapons to Israel in recent years and would be funded by American taxpayers. The weapons are capable of destroying buildings and penetrating reinforced concrete, and Israel’s use of similar bombs in Gaza and Lebanon has drawn criticism from rights groups over the risk to civilians. The Biden administration previously paused shipments of MK-84 bombs because of concerns about civilian casualties, while the Trump administration declined to comment on the pending sale. The proposal comes amid declining U.S. public support for Israel and continued regional conflict, including fighting in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran.