Israel has received a shipment of heavy MK-84 bombs from the United States after US President Donald Trump lifted a block imposed on the export of the munitions by the administration of predecessor Joe Biden, the defence ministry said on Sunday.
The MK-84 is an unguided 2,000-pound bomb, which can rip through thick concrete and metal, creating a wide blast radius.
The Biden administration declined to clear them for export to Israel out of concern about the impact on densely populated areas of the Gaza Strip.
The Biden administration sent thousands of 2,000-pound bombs to Israel after the Oct. 7, 2023 attack by Palestinian Hamas militants from Gaza but later held up one of the shipments. The hold was lifted by Trump last month.
"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 United States," Defence Minister Israel Katz said late on Saturday.
The shipment arrived after days of concern about whether a fragile ceasefire in Gaza agreed last month would hold, after both sides accused each other of violating the terms of the deal to halt fighting to allow the exchange of hostages held in Gaza for Palestinian prisoners and detainees in Israeli jails.
Washington has announced assistance for Israel worth billions of dollars since the war began.
Israel receives shipment of heavy bombs cleared by Trump
more from World
LATEST News
- CA to hold bilateral talks with Modi, other BIMSTEC leaders on Friday
- Govt plans to recruit 5,000 physicians: DG Health
- Bangladesh must leverage goodwill generated thru reform commitments to reduce combined tariff rate: Dr Zahid Hussain
- Tariff issue will be resolved through talks with US: CA
- Steps taken to ensure safe journey of Dhaka-bound passengers: BR director general
Top News
- 1CA to hold bilateral talks with Modi, other BIMSTEC leaders on Friday
- 2Tariff issue will be resolved through talks with US: CA
- 3Trade wars, tailored woes: Fallout of US tariff blitz on Bangladesh
- 4Bangladesh must leverage goodwill generated thru reform commitments to reduce combined tariff rate: Dr Zahid Hussain
- 5CA urges youths to build themselves as three-zero persons
- 6Strict measures will be taken to curb terrorism in hills: Home adviser
Photo: Reuters
The MK-84 is an unguided 2,000-pound bomb, which can rip through thick concrete and metal, creating a wide blast radius
Reuters
Publisted at 9:31 PM, Sun Feb 16th, 2025
