Israel’s Ministry of Defense confirmed on Sunday that a batch of U.S. MK-84 heavy bombs had arrived in Israel during the visit of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The MK-84 is a 2,000-pound bomb, the largest in the Mark 80 series of weapons, capable of penetrating thick concrete and metal, creating a wide explosion radius.
The Israeli Ministry of Defense stated that the Trump administration lifted restrictions on Israel’s acquisition of heavy bombs imposed by the Biden administration last month and subsequently sent these heavy bombs. Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a statement from the Ministry of Defense that these MK-84 ammunition “are important assets for the Air Force and the Israeli Defense Forces, further demonstrating the strong alliance between Israel and the United States”.
“I thank President Donald Trump and the U.S. government for their steadfast support of Israel. We will continue to work together to strengthen our security,” said Katz.
The Defense Ministry stated that the ship carrying this batch of ammunition docked at Ashdod Port, unloaded onto dozens of trucks, and then transported to an Israeli Air Force base.
Last May, then U.S. President Biden decided to suspend the supply of 2,000-pound heavy bombs to Israel, intensifying tensions between the Biden administration and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. The Israeli Prime Minister at the time accused the U.S. of hindering Israel’s ability to pursue Hamas terrorists.
Biden’s decision to suspend the delivery of these bombs was due to concerns that Israel would use these heavy bombs in densely populated areas of Gaza, particularly in Rafah, leading to significant civilian casualties.
Trump’s decision to lift Biden’s pause on heavy bombs was expected. Last month, some U.S. media quoted U.S. officials saying that around 1,800 MK-84 bombs stored in the U.S. would be sent to Israel.
The arrival of this batch of ammunition in Israel coincided with U.S. Secretary of State Rubio’s visit to the region. Rubio arrived in Israel on Saturday and held meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog on Sunday.
After the meeting, Netanyahu and Rubio emphasized the joint efforts of the U.S. and Israel in confronting the threat from Iran. Rubio also made it clear that Hamas cannot continue to exist as either a governing or military force, otherwise, peace would be unattainable.