WASHINGTON, United States- President Donald Trump’s administration is preparing a $2.8 billion sale of heavy bombs to Israel, including tens of thousands of 2,000-pound munitions, according to a US official familiar with the proposal.
The proposed package comprises 20,000 MK-84 bombs and 20,000 BLU-117 bombs, both weighing about 2,000 pounds, the official said. It would be one of the largest single US sales of the powerful munitions to Israel in recent years.
The package has been submitted informally to the relevant congressional committees, an early stage of the American arms-sale approval process.
It has not yet received final approval or been formally announced by the US government.
The US State Department and Israel’s embassy in Washington had not publicly commented on the proposed sale at the time of publication.
The MK-84 and BLU-117 are general-purpose bombs capable of causing extensive damage across a wide area. They can be dropped as unguided munitions or fitted with guidance equipment to improve their accuracy.
Their use in densely populated areas has attracted scrutiny because of the risk posed to civilians.
Israel has previously used 2,000-pound bombs during military operations in Gaza and Lebanon.
The proposed sale comes amid continuing criticism of Washington’s military support for Israel following the Gaza war, which began after the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023.
Israel says its military operations are intended to eliminate Hamas and protect the country from further attacks.
It has repeatedly said it takes measures to limit civilian casualties and accuses Hamas of operating from civilian areas.
The Gaza health authorities have reported that more than 73,000 Palestinians have been killed since the conflict began.
The figures do not distinguish between civilians and combatants.
President Trump lifted a hold on the delivery of 2,000-pound bombs to Israel shortly after returning to the White House in January 2025.
Former President Joe Biden’s administration had restricted them over concerns about the bombs’ possible use in heavily populated parts of Gaza.
The United States is Israel’s largest military supplier and provides the country with billions of dollars in annual security assistance.
Congress normally reviews major arms sales before the administration gives final approval.
