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The Trump administration has formally asked Congress to approve a $1 billion arms package for Israel, including thousands of bombs and heavy-duty engineering equipment, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal on Monday.
The proposed sale includes 4,700 one-ton bombs valued at more than $700 million, along with armored bulldozers from Caterpillar Inc. worth over $300 million. The bulldozers, which Israel has previously used to demolish Palestinian homes, could face scrutiny from progressive lawmakers.
The request comes just as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is visiting Washington to meet with Trump. Their discussions are expected to focus on Israel’s ongoing military operations, the fragile ceasefire with Hamas, and efforts to secure the release of hostages.
The arms package follows Trump’s decision to lift a previous hold on shipments of 2,000-pound bombs, a restriction imposed by the prior Biden administration. The former president has made it clear he will not withhold future weapons deliveries to Israel. “They paid for them, and they have been waiting for them for a long time,” Trump told reporters last week aboard Air Force One.
In addition to the current request, Israeli officials are expected to push for approval of a separate $8 billion arms deal that was stalled under the Biden administration. That package includes artillery rounds, missiles, and additional bombs. Some Democratic lawmakers had successfully delayed the sale before the transition of power, but Israel is now pushing for its approval under the new administration.
The proposed arms transfer underscores the strong military ties between the U.S. and Israel, as well as the political tensions surrounding American military support for its key Middle Eastern ally.
*Source: Jerusalem Post and Wall Street Journal
