Trump Approves Nearly $3 Billion Arms Sale to Israel
The Trump administration has approved a major nearly $3 billion arms sale to Israel, bypassing the normal congressional review process to provide the country with more 2,000-pound bombs used in its war against Hamas in Gaza.
According to notifications sent to Congress late Friday, the State Department signed off on the sale of over 35,500 MK 84 and BLU-117 bombs and 4,000 Predator warheads worth $2.04 billion.
Additionally, the State Department approved Israel’s purchase of Caterpillar D9 Bulldozers and related equipment for an estimated $295 million, with deliveries expected to begin in 2027.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency also confirmed a munitions sale to Israel worth $675.7 million. Repkon USA and The Boeing Company will manufacture the equipment, with delivery expected to start in 2028.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that he had signed a declaration to expedite the delivery of approximately $4 billion in military assistance to Israel. Rubio noted that the Trump administration has approved nearly $12 billion in foreign military sales to Israel.
The arms sale comes as the first phase of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is set to expire. The ceasefire, which began on January 19, paused 15 months of war, freed Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, and enabled more humanitarian aid to reach Gaza.
Israel and Hamas seem willing to maintain their truce while negotiators from the US, Egypt, and Qatar guide talks aimed at getting to the next phase. However, talks were delayed due to disputes between Israel and Hamas over alleged violations of the deal.
Under the terms of the truce, the second phase would require Hamas to release all remaining living hostages in exchange for more Palestinian prisoners in Israel, a lasting ceasefire, and a full Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.
Over the past six weeks, Hamas has freed 33 living and dead hostages in exchange for over 1,700 Palestinian prisoners.