The United States government is reportedly preparing to approve a $2.8 billion arms package for Israel, including 40,000 2,000-pound bombs, in what would be one of the largest such munitions sales in recent years.
According to reports by The Washington Post and The New York Times Tuesday, the proposed package includes 20,000 MK-84 bombs and 20,000 BLU-117 bombs, as well as 20,000 I-2000 penetrator warheads.
The Washington Post reported that the transaction would largely be financed through the US Foreign Military Financing programme, meaning US taxpayer funds would be used by Israel to purchase the weapons from American suppliers. Congressional committees have reportedly been informally notified of the proposed sale.
A senior US administration official told AFP that foreign arms sales were proceeding through the required process but declined to comment on pending transactions.
A State Department spokesperson also declined to confirm the deal, saying the department does not comment on proposed arms sales before they are formally notified to Congress.
The proposed transfer comes amid continued scrutiny over the use of heavy US-made munitions in the Gaza conflict. The Biden administration had previously paused a shipment of 2,000-pound bombs to Israel over concerns about their potential impact on civilians, but the Trump administration lifted the hold after taking office in 2025.
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The Trump administration has previously authorised other major weapons sales to Israel. In 2025, it approved a nearly $3 billion sale that included more than 35,500 2,000-pound bombs, followed by additional arms sales valued at $6.67 billion in January 2026.
The latest proposed package is also being reported against the backdrop of shortages in the US military’s ammunition stocks following its war with Iran.
A US Defence Department inspector general’s report said Operation Epic Fury, which began on February 28, had cost about $33.4 billion between February 28 and June 30, including $22.3 billion spent on munitions. The report said the expenditure had resulted in “strategic inventory shortfalls” and exposed bottlenecks in the defence industry’s ability to replenish supplies.
The proposed Israel package would therefore come as the US continues efforts to replenish its own weapons inventories while maintaining military support for its allies.