Trump Administration announces $7.4 Billion Arms Deal with Israel
Washington — The Trump administration formally notified Congress on Friday of plans to send more than $7.4 billion in munitions and guidance kits to Israel, following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Washington this week.
The State Department notified congressional armed services and foreign relations committees of a $6.75 billion package, including GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bombs, MK-82 500-pound bomb bodies, and various JDAM guidance kits.
Some of the deliveries will come from U.S. stockpiles, with completion expected by the end of the year, according to the Pentagon. “There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale,” the department stated.
Additionally, the State Department approved a $660 million sale of approximately 2,000 AGM-114 Hellfire air-to-ground missiles for Israel.
Why it matters?
The announcement aligns with the Trump administration’s continued support for Netanyahu, including a controversial proposal for the U.S. to assume control over Gaza after the Israel-Hamas war.
Netanyahu was the first foreign leader to visit the White House during Trump’s second term.
Last month, Trump revealed that his administration had released a shipment of MK-84 2,000-pound bombs, which had been withheld by the Biden administration in an effort to limit Israel’s bombing campaign in southern Gaza, particularly in Rafah.
“With our alliance, with your support—including the decision you just mentioned, of supplying Israel with much-needed tools for our defense—we are a lot stronger than we’ve ever been,” Netanyahu said alongside Trump at the White House on Tuesday.
Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant face charges from the UN’s International Criminal Court (ICC) over alleged war crimes in Gaza.
The U.S. has rejected the ICC’s case outright. On Thursday, Trump announced economic sanctions against the international court, a move condemned by dozens of countries, including a majority of ICC member states.
Both the European Union and the United Nations urged Washington to reverse the decision, warning that it undermines the global rules-based order.
What’s Next
Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to travel to the Middle East next week, with planned stops in Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, the top U.S. military commander in the region, Army Gen. Michael “Erik” Kurilla, returned to the Middle East and arrived in Israel on Wednesday following visits to the UAE and Bahrain.
Kurilla met with Israeli army chief Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, air force commander Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar, and other Israel Defense Forces officials to discuss Iran’s regional proxy network and security concerns in Lebanon, Yemen, and Syria, according to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).
He also held talks with Israel Security Agency chief Ronen Bar and Mossad director David Barnea.
