Trump lifts Biden's ban on 2,000-pound bombs to Israel
Newly elected US President Donald Trump has signed a decree lifting the ban on the supply of 925kg MK-84 aircraft bombs to Israel, which was imposed by his predecessor Joe Biden.
Here's What We Know
These are MK-84 (Mark 84) bombs in the amount of approximately 1,800 units, which were banned from being supplied to the IDF about seven months ago, in July 2024, due to fears of critical consequences that could arise if the Israeli army used them in the Gaza Strip. At the same time, the supply of 230kg Mark 82 bombs continued unabated.
A Mark 84 aerial bomb. Illustration: acc.af.mil
Trump noted that the lifting of the ban was an expected decision, as the bombs were paid for by Israel and stored in the United States. He also added that many orders that were not fulfilled by the Biden administration are now on their way to Israel.
The decision to resume arms supplies came after Israel announced a truce in the Gaza Strip, reached under an agreement with Hamas on a hostage exchange. Earlier, Trump warned that if Hamas did not fulfil the conditions, "there will be hell to pay".
Israel's defence ministry also announced the signing of an agreement to purchase additional interceptors for the Irone Dome air defence system with US aid, including the expansion of production capacity.
Source: Reuters