The United States is preparing to send Israel a fresh consignment of 40,000 heavy aircraft bombs as part of a $2.8 billion (€2.42 billion) arms package, according to two US officials and a person familiar with the plan. The deal, which has been informally shared with Congress, includes 2,000-pound (900 kg) Mk84 and BLU-117 bombs—the same class of munitions that raised alarm during the Biden administration because of the risk of mass civilian casualties in densely populated Gaza.
The proposed sale comes as Israel continues its military operations in Gaza, where tens of thousands of Palestinians have been killed and the enclave has been reduced to rubble. A fragile ceasefire brokered by Washington has largely held, but sporadic violence persists, and the humanitarian situation remains dire. The deal signals that, despite reported friction between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the military alliance between the two countries remains robust.
Controversial munitions return
The Mk84 and BLU-117 bombs are among the most powerful conventional weapons in the US arsenal. Their use in urban environments has been heavily criticised by humanitarian groups, who argue that such munitions are indiscriminate and cause disproportionate civilian harm. The Biden administration had placed a hold on their transfer in 2023, citing these very concerns. That hold was lifted when Trump returned to office, and the current package marks the latest in a series of moves to bolster Israel's military capacity.
Most of the deal will be financed through foreign military financing, a mechanism that provides US taxpayer dollars to Israel to purchase American-made weapons. This arrangement has drawn criticism from some lawmakers, who question the wisdom of subsidising arms sales that may be used in operations with high civilian tolls.
The sale also comes at a time of heightened regional tension. In February, the US and Israel jointly launched a military campaign against Iran, a conflict that has reportedly strained the relationship between Trump and Netanyahu. The two leaders met at the White House in July, but the atmosphere was described as tense, with Trump expressing frustration over the conduct of the Iran operation.
This is not the first time the Trump administration has fast-tracked arms transfers to Israel. Last year, it bypassed the normal congressional review process to approve a nearly $3 billion sale that included more than 35,500 of the same bombs. In January, it approved another $6.67 billion in weapons sales to Israel.
The latest package has reignited debate in Europe, where several governments and civil society groups have called for greater restraint in arms exports to the region. The European Union has repeatedly urged all parties to respect international humanitarian law, and some member states, including Spain and Ireland, have suspended or restricted their own arms sales to Israel. The US decision, however, underscores the limits of European influence over American foreign policy.
For European observers, the sale raises uncomfortable questions about the role of Western allies in the Gaza conflict. While the EU has sought to position itself as a mediator, its inability to sway Washington on arms transfers highlights the transatlantic divide on the issue. The latest airstrikes in Gaza City have only intensified calls for accountability.
The deal also comes as Israel faces increasing international isolation, with the International Court of Justice examining its conduct in the war. The attempt by an Israeli minister to revoke the citizenship of Palestinian filmmakers who won a prize at the Venice Film Festival is a stark reminder of the cultural and political fallout.
Meanwhile, the broader security environment in the Middle East remains volatile. The fatal ship strike in the Strait of Hormuz has raised concerns about the safety of vital shipping lanes, and the US Space Force's confirmation of orbital weapons has added a new dimension to global security discussions.
For now, the bomb sale appears set to proceed, with Congress having been notified informally. Formal notification is expected in the coming weeks, and while some lawmakers may raise objections, the administration's willingness to bypass standard procedures suggests that the deal will go through. The decision will likely be watched closely in European capitals, where the balance between security cooperation with Washington and adherence to international norms remains a delicate one.
