WASHINGTON — The State Department has officially informed Congress of its intention to sell over $7 billion worth of weaponry to Israel, which encompasses thousands of bombs and missiles. This notification came just two days following a meeting between President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House.
This significant arms sale takes place while a tenuous ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is in effect. Despite the ongoing tensions, Trump has been promoting a controversial proposal that aims to relocate all Palestinians from Gaza, turning the area into an international tourist destination.
This arms deal marks another move in Trump’s initiative to enhance Israel’s military capabilities. Shortly after assuming office in January, he lifted restrictions on the export of 2,000-pound bombs to Israel, a shipment that had been delayed by the Biden administration due to worries over civilian safety during military actions, particularly in Rafah in southern Gaza.
Trump defended the decision to send the bombs, stating that Israel “purchased them.” According to the State Department, two distinct sales were submitted to Congress on Friday. One totals $6.75 billion and includes a variety of munitions, guidance kits, and supplementary equipment. The package contains 166 small-diameter bombs, 2,800 500-pound bombs, as well as thousands of guidance kits, fuses, and bomb components, with deliveries commencing this year.
The second arms sale involves 3,000 Hellfire missiles and associated equipment, estimated at $660 million, with delivery anticipated in 2028. The usage of these missiles will require further training from U.S. military personnel.
Previously, Biden administration officials had given informal notice to Congress regarding the sale last month, indicating that some arms within the package could be sourced from current U.S. inventories, though most would take a year or longer for delivery.
Concerns regarding the sale were raised by Rep. Gregory Meeks, the leading Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, in January. A spokesperson for Meeks mentioned earlier this week that ongoing discussions with the administration addressed several questions and concerns. It remains uncertain whether these concerns had been addressed by the time the formal notification was received from the Trump administration.
Typically, the State Department first notifies key lawmakers on foreign relations committees in both the House and Senate before issuing formal announcements for sales exceeding specific thresholds. If Meeks or any other lawmaker expressed objections, the State Department would usually postpone the formal announcement until the concerns were resolved.
The timing of this announcement is particularly sensitive, especially given Trump’s unwavering support for Israel. During their recent discussions, Trump and Netanyahu addressed the delicate ceasefire and the status of hostages amidst the Israeli-Hamas conflict, while also expressing mutual concerns about Iran.
Concerns from allies regarding Trump’s Gaza relocation plan have been voiced, as they fear it might threaten the ongoing ceasefire.
However, Trump characterized the plan as merely a straightforward “real estate transaction,” emphasizing that there is “no rush to do anything.” He has suggested that resettling Gaza’s residents could lead to a lasting outcome, a notion that has been disputed by several senior officials within his own administration.
In connection with the ceasefire agreement, Hamas has identified three additional Israeli hostages they intend to release, signaling progress despite the calls from the U.S. and Israel to relocate Gazans post-conflict. These three individuals, who were taken by Hamas during the October 7, 2023 offensive in southern Israel, are expected to be released on Saturday, marking the fifth exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinians imprisoned in Israel.
Israeli forces have largely withdrawn from Gaza in compliance with the ceasefire terms but maintain a presence in border regions.
