Trump administration plans to resume deliveries of 2,000-lb bombs to Israel

The Trump administration is set to resume deliveries of 2,000-pound bombs to Israel, following a two-year pause due to concerns over potential mass casualties in Gaza. This decision is part of a forthcoming $2.8 billion arms deal, which includes 40,000 bombs, comprised of 20,000 MK-84s and 20,000 BLU-117s. The package, which is still not finalized, is largely funded through foreign military financing, where US taxpayer money is provided to Israel for the purchase of these weapons.

This move is one of many recent actions by the Trump administration to bolster Israel's military capabilities. The war in Gaza has resulted in tens of thousands of Palestinian deaths and devastated the territory. Although the US brokered a fragile ceasefire in the region, it has been breached multiple times.

The $2.8 billion package is the latest in a series of steps taken by the Trump administration to enhance Israel's military prowess. Earlier this year, the administration approved a nearly $3 billion arms sale to Israel, bypassing the usual congressional review process. This followed a $6.67 billion arms sale to Israel in January.

Experts believe that the 2,000-pound bombs, which come in various variants, have been used in Israeli strikes in Gaza, targeting Hamas' tunnel network while causing widespread damage and killing civilians in densely populated areas. The Hamas-led attack on southern Israel in October 2023 resulted in around 1,200 deaths and the taking of 251 hostages. Since then, Israel has killed over 73,264 Palestinians, including those killed in violation of the ceasefire, according to Gaza's health ministry.