Trump administration announces $7 billion arms sale to Israel

The US State Department announced an over $7 billion arms sale to Israel, including thousands of bombs and missiles. The development came just two days after Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the White House. 

Moreover, this massive armed sale came during the fragile ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.  

The arms sale seemed another step in Trump’s effort to bolster Israel’s weapon stock. 

Earlier, soon after assming office late in January, the Trump administration lifted the hold on sending 2,000-pound bombs to Israel.

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The restrictions had been imposed by his predecessor Biden administration, with concerns about civilian casualties. 

Trump stated that he released the ammunition stock to Israel “because they bought them.”

Recetnly , two separate sales were sent to Congress on Friday. One of them valued at $6.75 billion included an array of munition, guidance kits and other related equipment specifically 166 small-diameter bombs, 2,800 500-pound bombs, and thousands of guidance kits, fuses and other bomb components and support equipment. Deliveries are scheduled to begin this year.

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Trump sparked global outrage after announcing that Israel would hand over Gaza to the US after Palestinians were resettled elsewhere in the region. 

Trump was criticised over his proposal to move all Palestinians from Gaza and redevelop the enclave as an international travel destination.