Lebanon wants Israel security deal as prelude to peace: president to AFP

The Trump administration is gearing up to finalize one of the largest arms deals in recent years with Israel, valued at approximately $2.8 billion. This move is likely to provoke controversy within the US Congress, as it occurs amidst heightened tensions surrounding the ongoing conflict and Israeli policies. According to a US official, the administration is set to provide Israel with 40,000 bombs weighing 2,000 pounds each, consisting of 20,000 MK-84 bombs and 20,000 BLU-117 bombs, along with 20,000 "I-2000 Penetrator" warheads.

Congressional committees have been unofficially informed of the sale, potentially presenting a new challenge for Democrats in Congress, especially considering the rising discontent with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the strained relations between Washington and Tel Aviv.

A senior US administration official stated that foreign arms sales adhere to proper procedures, but they do not comment on pending sales. The size of this shipment surpasses previous sales of 2,000-pound munitions to Israel under both the Biden and Trump administrations, including a controversial $2.04 billion deal that circumvented standard congressional review processes.

Trevor Ball, a former US Army explosive ordnance disposal technician, explained that Israeli forces often utilize this type of bomb when targeting buildings, emphasizing that an MK-84 bomb would obliterate the entire structure if Hezbollah or any other entity is inside.

The Washington Post reported that US pilots colloquially referred to the MK-84 bomb as "The Hammer" during the first Gulf War, highlighting its immense destructive power. This particular munition was the only 2,000-pound bomb that was halted by the administration of US President Joe Biden during the Gaza war due to concerns over the high number of Palestinian civilian casualties it would cause.

The Trump administration is urging the leaders of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee to approve the sale, which is one of the largest US munitions deals with Israel in recent years.