A shipment of approximately 1,800 heavy bombs from the United States, previously held up by the former U.S. administration, arrived in Israel overnight, according to an announcement from the Israeli Defense Ministry on Sunday. The MK-84 2,000-lb munitions were unloaded at Ashdod Port and transferred to Israeli airbases via dozens of trucks.
Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, praised the arrival of the bombs, calling the shipment a significant boost for the Israeli Air Force and the IDF. “This munitions shipment, released by the Trump administration, represents a valuable asset for our defense forces and further strengthens the strong alliance between Israel and the U.S.,” Katz said. He thanked President Donald Trump and the U.S. administration for their steadfast support of Israel’s security.
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The Ministry reported that since the onset of the war in October 2023, over 76,000 tons of military equipment have been delivered to Israel via 678 transport planes and 129 ships, with most of the supplies coming from the United States.
The U.S. has provided billions of dollars in military aid to Israel during the 16-month war with Hamas, which began after the October 7, 2023, attack in southern Israel. However, the Biden administration had adjusted its approach by requiring all shipments to undergo standard approval procedures, rather than fast-tracking them as in the earlier stages of the conflict.
In May, the Biden administration had suspended the shipment of 1,800 2,000-lb bombs, alongside 1,700 500-lb bombs, due to concerns over their use in densely populated areas in Gaza. The bombs were eventually released in July, after the Israeli Defense Forces entered the southern Gaza city of Rafah, which had seen the mass evacuation of Palestinian civilians.
While the Biden administration had originally withheld only the 2,000-lb bombs, it had warned Israel that it could withhold further weapons shipments unless significant steps were taken to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. However, that threat was never implemented, and by November, the administration acknowledged that Israel had made some progress in easing the crisis.
Upon taking office, President Trump lifted the hold placed by the Biden administration on the shipment of these bombs, allowing the weapons to be delivered to Israel.
Key Points:
U.S. Bomb Shipment Arrives: A shipment of 1,800 MK-84 2,000-lb bombs arrived in Israel after being held up by the Biden administration.
Ashdod Port Unloading: The bombs were unloaded at Ashdod Port and transported to Israeli airbases.
Praise from Israel’s Defense Minister: Defense Minister Israel Katz welcomed the arrival, emphasizing the strategic importance of the munitions for Israel’s Air Force and IDF.
Strong U.S.-Israel Alliance: Katz thanked former President Donald Trump and the U.S. administration for their continued support of Israel’s security.
Ongoing U.S. Military Aid: Over 76,000 tons of military equipment have been delivered to Israel since October 2023, mostly from the U.S.
U.S. Policy Shift: The Biden administration initially stopped fast-tracking military shipments, requiring standard approval processes for later shipments.
Hold on Bombs in May: In May 2024, the Biden administration withheld 2,000-lb bombs, citing concerns about their use in Gaza’s densely populated areas.
Release of Bombs in July: The bombs were released in July, after Israeli forces entered Rafah, where most civilians had evacuated.
U.S. Warning in October: The U.S. warned Israel to address Gaza’s humanitarian crisis or risk further weapon shipment delays, though this threat was not enforced.
Trump Lifts Hold: After taking office, President Trump lifted the hold on the 2,000-lb bomb shipment to Israel.
