The Washington Post reports the Trump administration is preparing a $2.8 billion, taxpayer‑funded sale of 2,000‑pound bombs to Israel, potentially the largest such transfer in recent years. The proposed package reportedly includes 40,000 bombs (20,000 MK‑84s and 20,000 BLU‑117s) and 20,000 I‑2000 Penetrator warheads. A senior administration official said arms sales are "moving through the appropriate process," while critics point to a 2025 $2.04 billion deal that bypassed standard Congressional review and past U.S. pauses over civilian casualty concerns.
Report: Trump Administration Preparing $2.8B Taxpayer-Funded Sale Of 2,000‑Lb Bombs To Israel
AP Photo/Alex Brandon
The Trump administration is reportedly preparing a $2.8 billion sale of 2,000‑pound bombs to Israel, funded with U.S. taxpayer dollars, according to a Washington Post report citing an unnamed U.S. official.
Details Of The Proposal
The package described in the report would include roughly 40,000 bombs — 20,000 MK‑84s and 20,000 BLU‑117s — together with approximately 20,000 I‑2000 Penetrator warheads. If completed, the transaction would be the largest single transfer of 2,000‑pound bombs in recent years.
Official Response
"All foreign arms sales are moving through the appropriate process. We do not comment on pending sales," a senior administration official told Mediaite when asked about the story.
Context And Controversy
News of the possible sale arrives amid ongoing regional tensions and growing frustration over conflicts in the Middle East. The report notes that a 2025 munitions sale to Israel valued at $2.04 billion reportedly bypassed standard Congressional review procedures, drawing criticism from some lawmakers and watchdogs.
The Biden administration previously paused shipments of 2,000‑pound bombs to Israel over concerns about potential civilian casualties, a move cited by critics of large-scale transfers of such ordnance.
Explosive Effects And Expert Comment
MK‑84 bombs are known for their high explosive yield and ability to cause extensive structural damage, sending shrapnel over long distances and often leaving large craters. Trevor Ball, a former U.S. Army explosive ordnance disposal technician, told reporters that MK‑84s "do like to use them a lot when they're trying to target any building. If Hezbollah or whoever is in a building, an MK‑84 will bring down the whole building."
What Happens Next
The report is based on an unnamed official and remains unconfirmed by public documentation. Arms sales of this scale typically require notifications and can prompt Congressional review or debate. Observers say the story could trigger renewed scrutiny from lawmakers concerned about civilian harm, regional escalation and the use of U.S.-funded weapons in active conflict zones.
Help us improve.
