Israel receives shipment of heavy US bombs

A shipment of United States-made bombs overnighted into Israel has arrived, Israel’s defense ministry reported, as Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited the country for the first time. The shipment, consisting of MK-84 heavy aerial bombs, had only been cleared by President Donald Trump’s administration.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has termed the shipment a strategic asset for the Israeli Air Force and the entire military, affirming the United States’ and Israel’s strong alliance. The Trump administration previously greenlighted a package of military equipment valued at over $7.4 billion, including missiles and bombs and other military equipment, to enhance Israel’s defense system and counter regional threats.

The delivery follows weeks of intense clashes between Israel and Hamas after Hamas’ massive October 2023 attack. The war severely damaged Gaza, leaving much of its 2.4 million people displaced. Since January 19, there has been a ceasefire deal that facilitated the release of hostages captured by Hamas.

The Biden administration had previously withheld a shipment of 2,000-pound bombs to Israel due to civilian casualties in Gaza. Trump later, though, overturned this decision after assuming office and cleared the release of the weapons.

Rubio during his visit will most probably have a meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other top officials. Talks during his meetings are bound to touch on the Gaza ceasefire and the controversial plan put forward by Trump of relocating Palestinians out of Gaza and settling them in Egypt and Jordan, which had severe international backlash.