Washington – The Trump administration is set to approve a major arms sale to Israel valued at roughly $2.8 billion. According to a senior U.S. official familiar with the deal, the package will contain 20,000 MK‑84 2,000‑pound bombs and an equal number of BLU‑117 precision‑guidance kits. The sale has already been informally briefed to the congressional committees that review large foreign‑military sales.
Details of the proposed sale
The MK‑84 is a high‑explosive bomb designed for deep‑penetration missions, while the BLU‑117 kit provides GPS‑guided accuracy. Together, the items represent a substantial increase in Israel’s conventional strike capability. The State Department and the Israeli embassy have not yet responded to requests for comment on the pending transaction.
Public sentiment on U.S. support for Israel
Public opinion on America’s backing of Israel has shifted since the Gaza conflict began in 2023. A June poll conducted by Quinnipiac University found that 48 % of all voters now say the United States is too supportive of Israel, up from 16 % when the question was first asked in 2017. Among Democrats, the figure rose from 20 % to 66 % over the same period. The poll reflects growing criticism, particularly among Democratic voters, but does not indicate a reversal of overall support for the alliance.
Context of the conflict
The 2,000‑pound bombs have been used by Israeli forces in operations in Gaza and Lebanon, drawing scrutiny from human‑rights observers. Gaza health authorities report more than 73,000 Palestinian deaths in the ongoing campaign, while a United Nations inquiry has labeled the actions as genocide—a charge Israel rejects. Israel maintains that its military actions are self‑defense after the Oct. 2023 Hamas attack that killed 1,200 people and resulted in over 250 hostages being taken.
Regional security backdrop
The United States and Israel have also conducted strikes against Iran, most recently on Feb. 28, with Iran responding in kind against Israeli and U.S. interests in the region. Those exchanges have resulted in additional casualties and displacement across the Middle East.
What this means for U.S. policy
The pending sale underscores the Trump administration’s continued commitment to a strong strategic partnership with Israel, a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East. While the deal is still subject to congressional review, the administration’s move signals confidence that bolstering Israel’s defense capabilities aligns with American security interests.
As the review process proceeds, lawmakers and the public will continue to weigh the strategic benefits of the sale against concerns raised by human‑rights groups and segments of the electorate.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
