Shipment of heavy bombs delayed by Biden, released by Trump, finally arrives in Israel

A shipment of heavy bombs, which had been delayed by the administration of former U.S. President Joe Biden and released by the Trump administration, has arrived in Israel. 

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz called the shipment "a significant asset to the Air Force and the IDF.”

“I thank US President Trump and the US administration for their firm stand by the State of Israel.” 

In his statement, Katz said, “The supply of munitions that arrived in Israel last night and was released by the Trump administration is a significant asset for the Air Force and the IDF and is further evidence of the strong bond between Israel and the US.” 

In a joint operation, led by the U.S. Department of Defense's procurement delegation, the IDF Planning Division, and the International Transportation Unit at the Ministry of Defense, the shipment of heavy bombs recently released by the U.S. administration, was received and unloaded in Israel on Saturday night. 

A cargo ship, carrying about 1,800 MK-84 heavy munitions, docked and unloaded at the port of Ashdod. The munitions were loaded onto dozens of trucks from the transportation unit in the 'Amon' Division and the IDF Technology and Logistics Division and transported to the Air Force bases. 

The munitions, which had previously been held up by Biden, were released by Trump after he took office in early January. When asked by a reporter at that time why he released the shipment of weapons, Trump said, “Because they bought them.” 

The Ministry of Defense and the IDF are continuing efforts to procure and transport munitions for the IDF. So far, over 76,000 tons of military equipment have arrived in Israel in 678 flights and 129 ships, most of which came from the U.S. This is the largest air and sea weapons transport in the history of the State of Israel, the Defense Ministry stated. 

Katz also said, “In our last conversation, Secretary of Defense Hegseth reiterated the U.S.’s commitment to continue providing Israel with all the tools necessary to ensure its security. I thank US President Donald Trump and the US administration for their firm stand by the State of Israel – we will continue to work together to strengthen our security.” 

With Trump entering the White House, the restrictions imposed by Biden on heavy bomb shipments to Israel were lifted. Additionally, The Wall Street Journal reported two weeks ago that a new arms deal is being created for Israel.

According to the report, the planned sale will include 4,700 bombs weighing 1,000 pounds (450 kilograms) and worth more than $700 million. This is in addition to armored D9 bulldozers worth more than $300 million. 

Details of the deal were later clarified after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio notified Congress of plans to sell Israel $7.4 billion worth of munitions, primarily bombs and missiles.

The Trump administration appears to be interested in restoring Israel’s munitions supply after over a year of fighting, as it considers Israel to be its most significant Middle East partner.