US to supply Israel with thousands of bombs and missiles in $7.4 billion deal

The US State Department formally notified Congress on February 7 of its plans to sell over $7.4 billion in weapons to Israel, including thousands of bombs and missiles.

The announcement comes just days after President Donald Trump hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House.

According to the State Department, two separate arms deals have been submitted for congressional approval, Caliber.Az reports via Israeli media.

The first, valued at $6.75 billion, includes a wide range of munitions, guidance kits, and other related equipment. This package features 166 small-diameter bombs, 2,800 500-pound bombs, and thousands of guidance kits, fuzes, and bomb components. Deliveries from this deal are expected to begin later this year.

The second deal, worth approximately $660 million, consists of 3,000 Hellfire missiles along with related equipment. However, deliveries for this package are not set to begin until 2028.

In a statement, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency justified the sale by stating that the bombs would enhance Israel’s ability to “meet current and future threats, strengthen its homeland defence, and serve as a deterrent to regional threats.” The agency further noted that the missile sale would improve Israel’s defence capabilities, particularly in protecting its borders, critical infrastructure, and population centres.

The arms sale comes at a time when a fragile ceasefire and hostage release agreement between Israel and Hamas remains in place. It also follows Trump’s unexpected announcement alongside Netanyahu earlier this week, in which he stated that he expects the United States to take control of the Gaza Strip.

This sale is the latest in Trump’s efforts to bolster Israel’s military arsenal. In late January, shortly after taking office, he lifted a hold on the transfer of 2,000-pound bombs to Israel. The Biden administration had previously paused the shipment, citing concerns that Israel might use the heavy munitions in densely populated areas of Gaza, particularly in Rafah, the enclave’s southernmost city.

When asked about his decision to move forward with the bomb transfers, Trump told reporters, “because they bought them.”

By Tamilla Hasanova