US to approve $2.8bn arms deal for Israel — Reports

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The US federal government is on track to approve a $2.8 billion arms package for Israel, US media reported Tuesday, with the sale of 40,000 one-ton bombs among the largest munitions packages sold in recent years.

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The Washington Post said the package — funded with US taxpayer dollars — featured some of the most destructive munitions in Western arsenals, including 20,000 MK-84s, 20,000 BLU-117s, and 20,000 I-2000 Penetrator warheads.

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The New York Times said the administration of US President Donald Trump had approved the sale, citing a US official.

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A senior administration official told AFP that “all foreign arms sales are moving through the appropriate process,” but wouldn’t comment on pending transactions.

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Meanwhile, a State Department spokesperson told AFP that “as a matter of policy, the Department does not confirm or comment on proposed arms sales until they have been formally notified to Congress.”

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The deal was reported amid an ongoing munitions shortage within the US military, with stocks rapidly depleting from the war with Iran and with the US spending $22.3 billion on munitions between February 28 and June 30.

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In February 2025, the Trump administration had approved the sale of more than $7.4 billion in bombs, missiles and related equipment to Israel, including MK-84 munitions.

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In response to concerns over civilian deaths in Gaza, former US President Joe Biden’s administration had blocked a shipment of 2,000-pound bombs to Israel, but the Trump Administration approved them after taking office in early 2025.

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AFP

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