US Set to Approve 2.8 Billion dollar Arms Package for Israel: Report

The United States is preparing a new arms package worth around $2.8 billion for Israel, with the proposed deal expected to include tens of thousands of heavy bombs, according to reports citing US officials familiar with the matter. The reported package includes 20,000 MK-84 bombs and 20,000 BLU-117 bombs, each weighing around 2,000 pounds. The Washington Post has also reported that the proposed transfer includes 20,000 I-2000 penetrator warheads. The weapons would be supplied as part of Washingtons continuing military support for Israel.

The proposed deal has reportedly been discussed with congressional committees responsible for reviewing major US arms sales. However, reports indicate that the transaction was still moving through the approval process, meaning the final details and timing could change before a formal notification is issued. Most of the financing for the purchase would reportedly come through the US Foreign Military Financing programme, which provides funds that Israel can use to acquire American-made defence equipment. The arrangement is part of the long-standing military relationship between Washington and Jerusalem.

The reported transfer has attracted particular attention because of the size and destructive capability of the bombs involved. The 2,000-pound class of munitions has been used extensively in modern air campaigns and has also been a subject of debate over their use in densely populated areas of Gaza. The Biden administration had previously paused a shipment of 2,000-pound bombs to Israel in 2024 amid concerns over their potential use in Rafah and other densely populated areas of Gaza. The Trump administration later lifted the suspension after returning to office in January 2025.

The latest proposal comes after several major US weapons transfers to Israel during the Trump administration. Earlier deals included thousands of heavy bombs and other military equipment, adding to the substantial volume of American-made weapons supplied to Israel since the beginning of the Gaza conflict. The Gaza war began following the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed around 1,200 people and resulted in 251 people being taken hostage, according to US reporting. Israel responded with a military campaign in Gaza that has caused extensive destruction and a large number of Palestinian casualties, according to Gaza health authorities.

The proposed $2.8 billion package comes as Washington continues to maintain close defence and security ties with Israel while the wider Middle East remains affected by ongoing conflicts and tensions. The planned transfer is therefore likely to receive scrutiny in Congress as well as internationally, particularly because of the type and quantity of weapons involved.

The US State Department has generally avoided commenting on proposed arms sales before they reach the formal congressional notification stage. If the reported package receives final approval, deliveries would also depend on production schedules and other logistical arrangements. The reported deal represents another potentially significant expansion of Israels access to US-made heavy munitions and highlights the continuing scale of American military support for Israel.

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