US administration approves nearly $3 billion arms sale to Israel

The Trump administration has greenlighted a nearly $3 billion arms sale to Israel, sidestepping the usual congressional review process in order to provide the country with additional 2,000-pound bombs, which have been used in its ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza.

In a series of notifications sent to Congress , the State Department confirmed its approval of the sale of more than 35,500 MK 84 and BLU-117 bombs, along with 4,000 Predator warheads, valued at $2.04 billion, Caliber.Az reports citing foreign media.

In addition, the State Department authorized the purchase of Caterpillar D9 Bulldozers and related equipment for an estimated cost of $295 million. Deliveries for this deal are slated to begin in 2027, with the equipment provided by the Texas-based Irving company.

The Defence Security Cooperation Agency also released a statement confirming the approval of a munitions sale to Israel, which is expected to total $675.7 million. The equipment will be manufactured by Repkon USA in Tampa, Florida, and The Boeing Company in St. Charles, Missouri, with deliveries to begin in 2028.

This arms sale comes amid the expiration of the first phase of the ceasefire, which paused 15 months of war, led to the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, and allowed more humanitarian aid to enter Gaza. Negotiators from the US, Egypt, and Qatar are continuing to guide talks aimed at moving to the next phase of the agreement.

The two sides seem willing to maintain the truce, but talks have been delayed. The original plan for phase two, which was expected to begin weeks ago, has been complicated by disputes between Israel and Hamas over alleged violations of the truce.

Under the terms of the ceasefire initiated on January 19, the second phase would require Hamas to release all remaining hostages from its October 7, 2023, terrorist attack that triggered the war. In exchange, Israel would release more Palestinian prisoners, and a lasting ceasefire would be established, along with a full Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.

Over the past six weeks, Hamas has freed 33 hostages, both living and dead, in exchange for more than 1,700 Palestinian prisoners. The militant group still holds 59 captives, 32 of whom are believed to be dead.

Israel is reportedly seeking an extension of the first phase in order to secure the freedom of additional captives.

By Vafa Guliyeva