The Trump administration has approved a $2.8 billion arms package for Israel, including 40,000 powerful 2,000lb bombs, according to multiple reports. The deal, which includes 20,000 MK-84 bombs and 20,000 BLU-117s, is funded through U.S. foreign military financing and marks a significant expansion of military support during Israel’s ongoing campaign in Gaza.
Key Details of the Arms Package
The proposed sale was formally notified to congressional committees on Tuesday, though the final agreement has not yet been finalized. The MK-84 and BLU-117 bombs are among the most destructive conventional weapons in the U.S. arsenal, with variants designed for both underground penetration and above-ground destruction. The package follows two prior arms sales in 2024 and 2025, each totaling billions of dollars, which also included large quantities of these bombs.
Context and Recent Developments
The Trump administration has repeatedly expanded military aid to Israel since returning to office in 2025. In January 2025, the administration approved a $6.67 billion arms sale, including 35,500 2,000lb bombs, bypassing standard congressional review processes. The Biden administration had previously paused one shipment of MK-84 bombs in 2024 over concerns about their use in densely populated areas of Gaza. The Trump administration lifted that hold shortly after taking office.
Israel’s military campaign in Gaza began in response to the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on southern Israel, which resulted in 1,200 deaths and the abduction of 251 hostages. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, more than 73,264 Palestinians have been killed in the offensive, including casualties reported after the most recent ceasefire.
Reactions and Political Divisions
The arms sale has sparked debate within the U.S. and among political factions. Some critics argue that the scale of the weapons shipment sets a dangerous precedent, while others emphasize Israel’s right to self-defense. Tucker Carlson, a prominent conservative commentator, warned in a social media post that the deal represents “no precedent” in U.S. foreign policy, though his remarks did not specify legal or procedural violations.
Within Trump’s political coalition, divisions have emerged. Supporters of the "America First" movement have argued that the U.S. should avoid deeper involvement in overseas conflicts like the war in Gaza, instead prioritizing domestic issues. Polling data cited by Newsweek indicates declining support among some Americans for Israel’s military operations and for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Official Statements and Process
A U.S. official confirmed to The Washington Post that the $2.8 billion package is forthcoming, while a senior Trump administration official stated that all foreign arms sales are moving through appropriate processes and declined to comment further on pending deals. A State Department official reiterated that the department does not confirm or comment on proposed arms sales until they are formally notified to Congress.
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee and other relevant bodies have been informed of the proposed sale, though no public timeline for finalization has been provided.