Republican President Donald Trump announced the release of U.S. military-held 2,000-pound bombs to Israel, overturning a hold imposed by Democratic predecessor Joe Biden. Trump, speaking aboard Air Force One, stated, "We released them today. They paid for them and have been waiting for a long time." The bombs, known for their ability to penetrate heavy concrete and create significant destruction, had been withheld due to Biden's concerns about civilian casualties in Gaza, particularly in Rafah.
The Biden administration had initially supplied similar bombs to Israel following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, which resulted in 1,200 Israeli deaths and around 250 hostages taken, sparking the latest escalation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. However, one shipment had been on hold due to humanitarian concerns.
Trump justified the move, citing Israel's payment for the weapons and his commitment to strengthening U.S.-Israel relations. On Truth Social, Trump emphasized his intent to expedite military supplies delayed by Biden.
A week-old ceasefire in Gaza has facilitated hostage exchanges between Israel and Hamas. However, Israel's military response has caused widespread devastation, with over 47,000 deaths reported by Gaza's health ministry, accusations of war crimes, and displacement of nearly all Gaza residents.
Washington has pledged billions in aid to Israel, citing the need to counter Iran-backed groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis. Critics, including human rights advocates, have condemned the humanitarian toll and demanded an arms embargo, though these efforts have been unsuccessful.
Trump’s decision underscores his pro-Israel stance amid ongoing debates about U.S. involvement in the conflict and its broader implications for regional stability.