DayofPal– The U.S. State Department has authorized a potential arms sale to Israel, valued at nearly $3 billion, including bombs, demolition kits, and other military equipment, according to the Pentagon’s statement on Friday.
The proposed sales were urgently submitted to Congress, bypassing the traditional review process that allows key lawmakers to examine the deal before formal approval.
The package includes 35,529 general-purpose bomb bodies for 2,000-pound bombs and 4,000 bunker-buster bombs, produced by General Dynamics.
While deliveries are scheduled to start in 2026, the Pentagon indicated that some weapons might be sourced from existing U.S. stockpiles, potentially allowing for immediate shipment.
Additionally, another arms package worth $675 million includes 5,000 1,000-pound bombs and guidance kits designed to convert unguided bombs into precision-guided munitions, with delivery expected in 2028. A separate $295 million deal includes Caterpillar D9 bulldozers.
This marks the second time in a month that an emergency declaration has been used to expedite arms sales to Israel.
Both the Trump and Biden administrations have previously employed emergency measures to approve similar transactions without congressional review.
Earlier this week, the Trump administration repealed a Biden-era directive that required reporting on potential violations of international law involving U.S.-supplied weapons, including those sent to Israel. It has also significantly reduced U.S. humanitarian foreign aid.
Last month, a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas temporarily halted 15 months of war, resulting in the release of 44 Israeli captives from Gaza and approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli custody.
However, Israel has been accused of violating ceasefire deal, raising uncertainty about the next phase of the agreement, which is intended to secure further prisoner exchanges and facilitate negotiations for a lasting resolution.
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