Israel $2.8bn arms package set for US approval: reports

US President Donald Trump's administration is moving toward approval of a $2.8 billion arms package for Israel, US media reported on September 15, including tens of thousands of large bombs and warheads.

The Washington Post reported that the package, funded with US taxpayer dollars, includes 20,000 MK-84s, 20,000 BLU-117s and 20,000 I-2000 Penetrator warheads. It said the sale of 40,000 one-ton bombs would be among the largest munitions packages sold in recent years.

The New York Times reported that the administration had approved the sale, citing a US official.

A senior administration official told AFP that all foreign arms sales were moving through the appropriate process but would not comment on pending transactions. A State Department spokesperson told AFP that the department does not confirm or comment on proposed arms sales before they are formally notified to Congress.

The reports came as the US military faces a munitions shortage after the war with Iran, with the United States spending $22.3 billion on munitions between February 28 and June 30.

Trump's administration approved more than $7.4 billion in bombs, missiles and related equipment for Israel in February 2025, including MK-84 munitions. Former US president Joe Biden's administration had blocked a shipment of 2,000-pound bombs to Israel over concerns about civilian deaths in Gaza, but Trump's administration approved them after taking office in early 2025.