40,000 bombs, $2.8 billion: Trump plans massive new arms package for Israel

The Trump administration is set to announce a $2.8 billion arms package for Israel, including 40,000 2,000lb bombs that were previously withheld due to concerns about potential mass casualties in Gaza. The package, comprising 20,000 MK-84 bombs and 20,000 BLU-117s, has not been finalized but has been notified to congressional committees.

Most of the package will be financed through US foreign military financing, allowing Israel to purchase American-made weapons. The sale follows Israel's ongoing military campaign in Gaza since the Hamas-led October 7, 2023 attack, which has resulted in over 73,000 Palestinian deaths. The bombs, once held back by the Biden administration, are designed for various target types, including underground and above-ground structures.

Critics argue that US-made bombs have been used in densely populated areas, causing civilian casualties. The proposed sale comes amid the fragile ceasefire in Gaza, with Israel attributing its strikes to retaliatory actions against militant attacks and ceasefire violations. However, the conflict has drawn international criticism, with a UN inquiry accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza, a claim Israel rejects.