A top Democrat on the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee said on Wednesday he would not approve the Trump administration’s proposed $2.8 billion sale of thousands of heavy bombs to Israel, citing concerns over civilian protection and international law.
Representative Gregory Meeks said the administration had not provided sufficient assurances over how Israel would use the weapons, which include 40,000 2,000-pound bombs.
“I remain firmly committed to Israel’s security and its ability to defend itself against serious regional threats,” Meeks said.
But he said the proposed sale raised “grave, unresolved concerns” about the potential use of the bombs in densely populated areas of Gaza and Lebanon.
The proposed package includes 20,000 MK-84 bombs and 20,000 BLU-117s, according to a U.S. official familiar with the plans. The sale has been informally communicated to the relevant congressional committees.
Meeks said he would not clear the package “at this time”, arguing that Congress had a responsibility to ensure U.S.-funded weapons were used lawfully and with safeguards for civilian lives.
His objection, however, does not necessarily prevent the sale from proceeding. Congressional committee leaders traditionally review major U.S. arms sales through an informal process, but the administration can bypass that process under certain circumstances.
Trump has previously sidestepped congressional review to expedite weapons deliveries to Israel.
The proposed deal comes amid heightened scrutiny of Israel’s use of 2,000-pound bombs, which have been deployed in Gaza and Lebanon and can cause extensive destruction in densely populated areas.
Former President Joe Biden temporarily suspended a shipment of 2,000-pound bombs to Israel in 2024 over concerns about their potential use in Gaza. Trump reversed that policy after returning to office in January 2025.
U.S. public opinion towards military support for Israel has also shifted. A June Quinnipiac University poll found 48 per cent of U.S. voters and 66 per cent of Democrats, believed Washington was too supportive of Israel, compared with 16 per cent and 20 per cent respectively when the question was first asked in 2017.
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