The United States is set to transfer 60,000 one-ton bombs to Israel as part of a $2.8 billion arms deal, marking one of the largest munitions sales of its kind. This transaction, announced in September 2026, is intended to replenish Israel’s stockpile of heavy bombs that have played a central role in its recent military operations.
The munitions include 20,000 Mk-84 bombs and 20,000 BLU-117 bombs, both one-ton ordnance types with similar capabilities. These bombs can be configured to detonate either on the surface or with delayed fuses underground, and are often equipped with precision guidance kits to enhance targeting accuracy. Alongside these, Israel will also receive 20,000 I-2000 Penetrator warheads, which are heavier and designed to explode after penetrating surfaces such as soil or concrete. The bombs are primarily intended to strike hardened targets including buildings, rail yards, and communication lines.
Israel’s increased demand for these large bombs followed the Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which altered its tactical requirements. Between 2024 and 2025, Israel purchased nearly eight times as many one-ton bombs from the United States compared to earlier years. Israeli officials argue that the bombs are crucial in targeting Hamas’ intricate tunnel networks and command centers within Gaza, where militants are said to operate within densely populated civilian areas.
The use of these heavy munitions has generated controversy. Investigations have documented widespread deployment of one-ton bombs in densely inhabited parts of Gaza, including zones where Israel had urged civilians to take refuge. Critics note that the scale and frequency of such bombings are unusual compared with standard U.S. military practice, which favors smaller, more precise weapons to minimize civilian casualties. The Biden administration initially paused shipments of some of these bombs in 2024 over concerns about their use in urban areas but later resumed transfers under emergency authority. The Trump administration similarly expedited arms sales after taking office in 2025.
The sale has faced opposition within the U.S. Congress. Representative Gregory W. Meeks placed a hold on the transfer, raising questions about the humanitarian impact on civilian populations in Gaza and Lebanon. However, formal congressional disapproval would require a veto-proof majority, a threshold never reached in such cases. Both presidential administrations have circumvented congressional review citing national security and emergency justification.
Some critics, including voices across the political spectrum, have called for reevaluating or halting military aid to Israel in light of civilian casualties. Former media personality Tucker Carlson warned that supplying Israel with these bombs could escalate conflict in Lebanon and the wider region.
From Israel’s perspective, these bombs are viewed as essential tools for a military engaged in prolonged combat operations spanning Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, and beyond. Military officials emphasize the need to maintain a substantial munitions reserve to address ongoing regional threats.
The timing of the deal is also seen as politically significant. Analysts suggest that both Israeli officials and U.S. supporters are attempting to “frontload” weapons transfers amid uncertainty over future U.S. congressional composition and the upcoming 2028 elections. While some Israeli observers dismiss the deal as unrelated to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s current electoral challenges, others view it as a clear signal of continued U.S. support despite occasional diplomatic tensions.
Overall, the arms sale underscores the complex and often contentious military and political dynamics underpinning U.S.-Israel relations in a volatile region.