The Trump administration is preparing a $2.8 billion arms agreement to provide Israel with 40,000 heavy munitions. According to two U.S. officials and a source familiar with the matter, the deal includes 2,000-pound bombs that were previously suspended by the Biden administration in 2024 due to concerns regarding civilian casualties in Gaza.
The proposed transaction follows a period of heightened military activity in the region, including a joint war initiated by the U.S. and Israel against Iran in February 2026. While a U.S.-brokered ceasefire is currently in place, sporadic violence continues. The Trump administration has already provided informal notification of the pending deal to Congress.
The $2.8 billion package consists of 20,000 Mk84 bombs and 20,000 BLU-117 bombs. Most of the costs are expected to be covered through foreign military financing, a system where U.S. tax revenue provides defense grants for Israel to purchase weapons from American contractors. These 2,000-pound munitions are designed for varying purposes, including penetrating underground structures or creating surface-level blasts.
The deal comes amid ongoing ceasefire monitoring and the implementation of President Trump’s 20-point plan for Gaza, which aims to end Hamas control and facilitate reconstruction. However, tensions remain; overnight strikes into Tuesday, September 15, 2026, resulted in several deaths. Israeli officials stated these actions are responses to ceasefire violations by Palestinian militants, while Jared Kushner, a Middle East negotiator for the administration, has reportedly urged a reduction in strikes.
The change for the region involves the reintroduction of heavy munitions that had been restricted for two years. Weapons experts noted that these specific types of bombs are capable of destroying underground tunnels but also cause significant destruction in densely populated areas. The move signals a shift in U.S. policy regarding the types of ordnance permitted for use in the enclave. The timing of the delivery is not yet finalized, as the deal is currently in the informal notification stage with Congress.
The deal also follows previous billion-dollar approvals that bypassed or accelerated standard review mechanisms. This indicates a prioritization of Israeli operational capabilities despite global diplomatic isolation related to the campaign in Gaza. What happens next depends on the formalization of the deal and the response from Congress following the informal notification. The ongoing ceasefire remains a factor, as observers track whether the introduction of new munitions affects the stability of the 20-point peace plan.