Israel receives shipment of heavy bombs cleared by Trump

Israel has received a shipment of heavy MK-84 bombs from the United States, after President Donald Trump lifted a block imposed on the export of the munitions by the administration of his predecessor Joe Biden, the Defense Department said on Sunday.

The MK-84 is an unguided 2,000-pound bomb, which can rip through thick concrete and metal, creating a wide blast radius. 

The Biden administration sent thousands of 2,000-pound bombs to Israel after 7 October 2023 but later held up one of the shipments. The hold was lifted by Trump last month.

"The munitions shipment that arrived in Israel tonight, released by the Trump Administration, represents a significant asset for the Air Force and the IDF and serves as further evidence of the strong alliance between Israel and the United States," Defence Minister Israel Katz said late on Saturday.

Reporting by Reuters