The Israel munitions sale would provide 40,000 2,000-pound bombs as congressional opposition and concerns over civilian harm intensify.
WASHINGTON: The Trump administration is preparing a $2.8 billion Israel munitions sale that would include 40,000 powerful 2,000-pound bombs, according to a US official familiar with the proposal, putting American military support for Israel back under scrutiny in Washington.
The proposed package includes 20,000 MK-84 general-purpose bombs and 20,000 BLU-117 bombs. The planned transaction has been informally communicated to relevant congressional committees, which review major US arms sales before they proceed.
The Washington Post, which first reported details of the proposal, said the package would be purchased using US taxpayer funds. It also reported that the proposed transfer includes 20,000 I-2000 Penetrator warheads.
Why are the 2,000-pound bombs drawing attention?
Heavy 2,000-pound bombs can cause extensive damage, making their use in or near densely populated areas particularly controversial.
Israel has previously used this class of weapon in Gaza and Lebanon, and its use has drawn scrutiny from human rights experts over civilian casualties. Former US President Joe Biden paused a shipment of 2,000-pound bombs to Israel in 2024 amid concerns about their potential use in densely populated areas.
The Trump administration later reversed that pause after returning to office.
The latest Israel munitions sale proposal comes as debate continues in the United States over military assistance to Israel and the conduct of Israeli operations in Gaza and Lebanon.
Israel has maintained that its military operations are conducted in self-defence and target armed groups, while human rights organisations and international experts have repeatedly raised concerns about civilian harm and compliance with international humanitarian law.
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Could Congress challenge the proposed sale?
Congressional scrutiny is already emerging. Representative Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said on September 16 that he would not support the proposed package.
Meeks said there were unresolved concerns about how the weapons could be used in densely populated areas and whether their use would comply with US and international law. His opposition alone does not give him the power to permanently stop the transaction.
The State Department had not publicly commented on the proposed transaction when Reuters initially reported the plans, while the Israeli embassy also did not immediately respond.
The proposal comes amid changing US public attitudes towards support for Israel. Reuters cited a June Quinnipiac University poll in which 48% of voters said the United States was too supportive of Israel.
For now, the Israel munitions sale remains a proposed transaction undergoing the US arms-sale review process rather than a completed weapons transfer.
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Impact to expect
Scrutiny. The proposed package could intensify congressional and public debate over US military assistance to Israel, particularly around civilian protection and the use of heavy munitions in populated areas.
