US preparing sale of 40,000 one-ton bombs to Israel, sources say

U.S. Moves Forward With Proposed $2.8 Billion Israel Arms Package

Tyunews.com – The Trump administration has approved a proposed $2.8 billion weapons package for Israel that would include 40,000 heavy aerial bombs, a move likely to renew debate over the humanitarian consequences of deploying large munitions near densely populated civilian areas.

Three people familiar with the matter said the proposed package includes 20,000 MK-84 bombs and 20,000 BLU-117 bombs. Both are powerful general-purpose weapons in the one-ton class, designed for use against a range of military targets. Their explosive force and broad blast effects have made their use particularly contentious during fighting in Gaza, where civilian populations live in close proximity to many areas affected by military operations.

The deal has been informally raised with key congressional committees, but a formal congressional notification has not yet begun. The proposed sale remains unfinished, and the State Department generally does not publicly discuss arms transfers before Congress receives official notification.

In a statement, a State Department spokesperson emphasized the administration’s security relationship with Israel.

The United States reserves the right to protect its national and international interests. Our commitment to Israel is ironclad.

Israel has the right to defend itself, and the United States supports Israel taking necessary action to defend its country, consistent with international law.

Heavy bombs remain a central point of concern

The MK-84 and BLU-117 are among the largest conventional bombs used in modern air campaigns. Their size can make them militarily significant, but it also increases concern about unintended harm when they are used in urban settings. Civilian protection groups and some lawmakers have repeatedly questioned whether weapons with such extensive blast zones can be used safely in heavily inhabited areas.

The new proposal arrives after years of scrutiny surrounding U.S. transfers of 2,000-pound munitions to Israel. During Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, concerns over the deaths of Palestinian civilians prompted the Biden administration in 2024 to halt one delivery that contained 1,800 2,000-pound bombs and 1,700 500-pound bombs.

That pause did not permanently end the flow of such munitions. Early in 2025, the Trump administration ended the suspension and used emergency authority to complete another Israel arms transaction without the normal congressional review process. That earlier sale involved 35,500 MK-84 and BLU-117 bombs and proceeded after congressional review was bypassed.

The current proposal would add another major volume of comparable munitions to Israel’s potential arsenal. While approval by the administration marks an important step, formal notification and review procedures still matter because lawmakers can examine the transfer, raise objections, and seek additional information before a sale is completed.

Proposal comes amid shifting regional diplomacy

The arms package is advancing despite visible differences between President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The two leaders have publicly diverged on questions involving Gaza’s future after the war and the possibility of greater military escalation in Lebanon.

Those disagreements underscore the complexity of the U.S.-Israel relationship: Washington’s military backing for Israel continues even as officials navigate disputes over regional strategy, ceasefire implementation, and longer-term political arrangements.

Conditions in Gaza have changed since a U.S.-supported ceasefire began in October 2025. The conflict has diminished substantially since the agreement took effect, although Israeli strikes have continued. Israeli authorities have described those operations as responses to efforts by Hamas to rebuild its capabilities.

Trump characterized the current level of fighting as limited and pointed to the possibility of Hamas surrendering its weapons.

There’s not a lot of fighting in Gaza. Hamas is now willing to give up their weapons,

Hamas has accepted a plan developed by the U.S.-created Board of Peace that calls for the group to disarm. However, disagreements remain over the order in which commitments should be carried out. Israel and Hamas have each accused the other of failing to meet terms of the arrangement, leaving the ceasefire vulnerable to further strains.

What could shape the next phase

Trump administration envoys have sought in recent weeks to move negotiations forward. Even so, some officials believe a major breakthrough is unlikely before Israel’s legislative elections, scheduled for late October. The timing gives domestic political considerations added importance as diplomatic efforts continue.

For Israel, the proposed sale would strengthen access to a substantial supply of high-yield conventional weapons at a time when its security priorities remain tied to Gaza, Lebanon, Iran, and other regional threats. For the United States, the transfer will again place military support for a close ally alongside questions about civilian safeguards, congressional oversight, and the future of the Gaza ceasefire.

The proposal therefore carries consequences beyond the value of the contract. Its eventual outcome may influence debates in Washington over arms-transfer policy, affect diplomatic pressure surrounding disarmament and reconstruction plans, and shape how closely U.S. military support is connected to efforts to prevent a renewed large-scale conflict in Gaza.