Trump administration plans $2.8bn sale of 40,000 heavy bombs to Israel

The Trump administration is planning to deliver 40,000 2,000lb bombs to Israel in a $2.8bn arms package financed with US taxpayer funds.

• The package comprises 20,000 MK-84 and 20,000 BLU-117 bombs, with some reports also listing 20,000 I-2000 penetrator warheads, and Congress has been informally notified though the deal is not final.
• A senior US administration official declined to comment on pending sales, and a State Department spokesperson said the department would not confirm proposed deals before formal congressional notification.
• Former President Biden paused shipments of the 2,000lb bombs in 2024 over civilian-casualty concerns, a hold Trump lifted in January 2025.
• The administration previously approved Israeli arms packages totalling $6.67bn in January and $7.4bn in February 2025.
• The Washington Post reported the sale would be the largest single arms deal to Israel in recent years and may test Democrats amid tensions over Netanyahu.
• Congressional Democrats may oppose the package over frustration with Netanyahu, and the administration is pressuring committee leaders to secure approval.
• The pending package totals 60,000 2,000lb bombs, to be financed through the US Foreign Military Financing scheme.