The administration of US President Donald Trump has approved the sale of at least 40,000 bombs to Israel in a deal reportedly worth $2.8 billion, according to US media reports.
The package includes some of the most powerful conventional munitions in the US arsenal and has reignited debate in the United States over military support for Israel and the ongoing impact of the conflict in Gaza.
Thousands of bombs included
According to reports by The Washington Post and The New York Times, the deal includes approximately 20,000 MK84 bombs, each weighing around one tonne.
The MK84 is among the most powerful non-nuclear bombs used by the US military and can scatter lethal fragments hundreds of metres from the point of impact.
The reported sale would be financed in part through US military assistance mechanisms, indirectly involving American taxpayer funding.
US officials decline comment
When contacted by Agence France-Presse (AFP), both the White House and the State Department declined to comment on the reports.
According to the New York Times, even if members of Congress objected to the sale, the administration could potentially use existing mechanisms to move ahead with the transfer.
Support for Israel remains divisive
The reports underscore the continuation of longstanding US military support for Israel, which remains a deeply divisive issue in American politics.
A growing number of Democrats have called for restrictions or reductions in military aid, citing the high civilian death toll during the Gaza conflict.
Supporters of continued assistance argue that Israel's security requirements remain a strategic priority for Washington.
Debate continues after ceasefire
The issue remains contentious despite a ceasefire that took effect in Gaza on 10 October 2025 following US-mediated negotiations.
According to Gaza health authorities, more than 1,300 people have been killed in Israeli military operations since the ceasefire began. Israeli official figures indicate that six Israelis, including five soldiers and one civilian contractor, have died during the same period.
The reported arms deal is expected to intensify political debate in Washington over the future scope of US military support for Israel and the broader consequences of the war in Gaza.
Source: AFP
