The administration of US President Donald Trump has approved the sale of $2.8 billion worth of heavy bombs to Israel, according to a US official. The proposed weapons package will include 40,000 one-ton bombs, which have faced international criticism for causing widespread civilian casualties due to their use in Gaza and Lebanon.
The proposed deal includes 20,000 US-made 2,000-pound MK-84 and BLU-117 bombs, along with another 20,000 I-2000 penetrator warheads. These warheads are designed to pierce through hard layers such as soil, rock, or concrete and detonate inside.
The explosion of a 2,000-pound bomb can be fatal at a distance of more than 1,000 feet and can create a crater about 50 feet deep. The use of these heavy bombs in densely populated areas has led to accusations against Israel of civilian casualties, with human rights organizations and several countries also criticizing the use of such weapons.
The US State Department recently sent the proposed weapons sale to two congressional committees for formal approval. Typically, the production and supply of such weapons can take anywhere from several months to several years, but there is an opportunity to expedite the delivery process if necessary.
Meanwhile, in mid-2024, the administration of then-President Joe Biden had suspended a shipment of 2,000-pound bombs to Israel. That decision was made out of concern that these weapons would be used in densely populated civilian areas.
However, in January, just days after taking office, Trump authorized the delivery of that shipment. Subsequently, in February, the Trump administration approved the sale of nearly $2.7 billion in weapons to Israel, a package that also included 35,000 MK-84 and BLU-117 one-ton bombs.
Congressional leaders may voice opposition to the proposed new weapons deal. However, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio retains the option to invoke emergency powers to push the agreement forward without informal congressional approval, in which case the House of Representatives and the Senate would have to jointly pass a resolution to block the deal, requiring a two-thirds majority in both chambers to override a presidential veto.
Previously, the Biden administration had also declared a state of emergency in the Middle East to bypass congressional approval and expedite weapons supplies to Israel. One of those shipments contained 13,000 rounds of tank ammunition and the other contained artillery shells.
The proposed new weapons package comes at a time when debate within the US over Israel's military campaign in Gaza is also growing. Several Democratic members of Congress have accused Israel of causing widespread civilian casualties and demanded an end to US aid to Israel.
On the other hand, discontent regarding Israel's military actions has also emerged among Trump's traditional supporters. Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson strongly criticized the killing of Palestinians in Gaza on social media, arguing that supplying more destructive weapons could embolden Israel and prolong the ongoing conflict with Iran.
Israel maintains that Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon position themselves among civilians and often utilize bunkers and tunnels, claiming that heavy weapons are required to strike these targets. However, former US officials and several military analysts have questioned whether Israel is adequately considering opportunities to use less destructive weapons.
The United States provides Israel with $3.8 billion in military aid annually, of which Israel primarily uses $3.3 billion to finance purchases of US weapons, while another $500 million is allocated to joint missile defense programs.
The Trump administration's approval of the new weapons sale is seen as part of continued US policy support for Israel, although Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have also experienced occasional disagreements regarding Israel's military campaigns in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran.
The US State Department stated that it will not comment on the proposed weapons sale until formal notification is provided to Congress. Source: The New York Times
