The administration of US President Donald Trump is planning to sell Israel a $2.8 billion package of munitions that includes tens of thousands of 2,000-pound bombs, according to a US official familiar with the proposed deal.
The planned sale has been informally communicated to congressional committees that review major US arms transfers. The package includes 20,000 MK 84 bombs and 20,000 BLU-117 bombs, the official said on condition of anonymity.
The Washington Post first reported details of the proposed deal. The US State Department and the Israeli Embassy did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The planned weapons transfer comes amid continued debate in the United States over Washington’s military support for Israel. Public support has shifted since the Gaza war began in 2023, particularly among Democratic voters.
A June poll by Quinnipiac University found that 48% of US voters believed the United States was too supportive of Israel, compared with 16% when the question was first asked in 2017. Among Democrats, the figure rose from 20% to 66% over the same period.
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The 2,000-pound bombs have been used extensively by Israel in Gaza and Lebanon and have drawn scrutiny from rights experts because of their destructive capability. Gaza health authorities say more than 73,000 Palestinians have been killed during Israel’s military campaign.
A United Nations inquiry concluded that Israel had committed genocide in Gaza, a finding Israel rejects. Israel says its military operations are an act of self-defence following the October 2023 Hamas-led attack, in which about 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 were taken hostage.
The proposed US arms sale also comes amid wider regional tensions. The United States and Israel attacked Iran on February 28, prompting Iranian strikes against Israel and Gulf states hosting US military bases.
US and Israeli strikes on Iran, along with Israeli attacks in Lebanon, have resulted in thousands of deaths and displaced millions, according to the report.
