The US President Donald Trump is anticipated to overturn the Biden administration’s ban on the transfer of 2,000-pound bombs to Israel in his first days in office.
One of the most significant crises the U.S.-Israel partnership has encountered throughout the 15-month war in Gaza was brought on by President Biden’s decision to stop the delivery of a single shipment of 2,000-pound bombs in May
In an interview on January 20, Israeli Ambassador Mike Herzog in Washington provided information on Trump’s intentions to end the halt on such weapon delivery.
The Israeli envoy in the US also said the future US president is likely to withdraw restrictions the Biden administration put on Israeli settlers who are accused of carrying out violent attacks on Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.
It was claimed in May 2024 that the United States had cut off Israel’s supply of certain ammunition. Since Hamas militants stormed Israeli territory in October 2023, this was the first suspension of this kind.
Later, the Biden administration made it clear that the suspension was only applicable to the delivery of bombs weighing 2,000 pounds. Concerns about the possible effects of using such weapons in heavily populated parts of the Gaza Strip were raised by US officials as an explanation for the decision.
With a weight of around 910 kg, one of these bombs can pierce metal and thick concrete, producing a wide blast radius.
In spite of this, U.S. officials promised that Israel will continue to receive weapons deliveries as usual.
