The Trump administration approved a $2.8 billion arms sale to Israel that includes 60,000 one-ton bombs, replenishing munitions reportedly depleted during recent conflicts. The deal reflects Israel’s increased reliance on large-scale explosives, particularly following Hamas’s attack on October 7, 2023.

The package comprises 20,000 Mk-84 bombs, 20,000 BLU-117 bombs, and 20,000 I-2000 Penetrator warheads designed to detonate underground. These munitions have been used extensively by the Israeli military, especially in targeting tunnel networks within Gaza. However, their deployment in densely populated areas has generated concerns over civilian casualties, fueling criticism from humanitarian groups and some lawmakers.

The arms sale is financed through the Pentagon’s foreign military sales program. While the Biden administration and others have continued to support aid to Israel, several Democratic members of the U.S. Congress have placed holds on portions of military assistance or advocated for limiting aid, citing the humanitarian impact of ongoing hostilities. Nonetheless, previous U.S. administrations have often bypassed congressional oversight through emergency authorization mechanisms, enabling expedited arms transfers.

Military analysts note that Israel’s strategic needs differ from emerging U.S. trends, which emphasize smaller, precision-guided munitions in urban combat scenarios. Experts argue that Israel requires a multi-year stockpile of large bombs to sustain prolonged operations, particularly given the scale and nature of recent conflicts involving subterranean threats and asymmetric warfare.

The transaction underlines the complex balance between supporting Israel’s defense requirements and addressing international humanitarian concerns amid a volatile security environment in the Middle East.