The United States is preparing to deliver 2,000-pound bombs to Israel as part of a proposed $2.8 billion arms package, according to U.S. officials and sources familiar with the plan. The shipment, which would include 40,000 bombs—20,000 MK-84s and 20,000 BLU-117s—is part of a broader effort to enhance Israel’s military capabilities amid ongoing conflict in Gaza. Congress has been informally notified of the deal, which is expected to be financed largely through foreign military financing, allowing Israel to purchase the weapons with U.S. taxpayer funds.

The proposed arms transfer marks a continuation of steps initiated under the Trump administration to supply Israel with advanced munitions. The Biden administration had previously paused deliveries of the 2,000-pound bombs over concerns about their potential to cause mass civilian casualties in Gaza, but this hold was lifted following former President Trump’s return to office in 2025. Since October 2023, when Hamas launched a deadly attack on southern Israel killing approximately 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, the United States has approved multiple large arms sales to Israel, including nearly $3 billion last year that encompassed over 35,500 of these bombs.

The 2,000-pound bombs have several variants, with some designed to penetrate deep underground structures and others intended to explode above ground, causing extensive damage. U.S.-made bombs of this type have been extensively used in Israeli strikes in Gaza and Lebanon. Analysts and former U.S. military experts say the Israeli military uses MK-84 bombs to destroy entire buildings suspected of harboring militants, a practice that has drawn scrutiny due to the high risk of civilian harm.

While Israel has provided limited details on the ordnance employed in Gaza, experts reviewing strike footage and fragments recovered from attack sites have identified U.S.-manufactured bombs used against Hamas tunnel networks. Gaza’s health ministry reports that, since the October 2023 attacks, Israeli operations have resulted in over 73,000 Palestinian deaths, including civilians killed in breach of multiple ceasefires brokered by the United States and other international actors.

The escalating conflict and extensive use of heavy munitions have fueled international concern and criticism, with Israel facing increasing isolation over its military campaign in Gaza. The forthcoming arms sale reflects the ongoing strategic alliance between the United States and Israel, underscoring Washington’s commitment to supporting Israel’s defense capabilities despite the volatile and costly nature of the conflict.