Israel has received a fresh shipment of heavy MK-84 bombs from the United States following the lifting of an export block by the United States President, Donald Trump, the country’s defense ministry announced on Sunday.
The shipment had previously been halted under the Biden administration due to concerns over its impact on Gaza’s densely populated areas.
The MK-84 is a powerful 2,000-pound (approximately 907kg) unguided bomb capable of penetrating thick concrete and metal, generating a wide blast radius.
While the Biden administration initially authorized the transfer of thousands of similar bombs to Israel after the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas militants, it later suspended a specific shipment.
Trump lifted the restriction in January, allowing the delivery to proceed.
“The munitions shipment that arrived in Israel tonight, released by the Trump administration, represents a significant asset for the air force and the IDF and serves as further evidence of the strong alliance between Israel and the US,” Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated late Saturday.
The arrival of the bombs comes amid uncertainty over a fragile ceasefire agreement in Gaza, which was brokered last month to facilitate a pause in fighting and the exchange of hostages held by Hamas for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli custody.
Both sides have accused each other of breaching the truce.
Since the war began, Washington has provided Israel with billions of dollars in military aid, reinforcing the longstanding partnership between the two nations.
