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Trump Says US Sending 2,000-Pound Bombs to Israel
On Saturday, former President Donald Trump claimed that a series of arms shipments to Israel, including 2,000-pound bombs previously held up under the Biden administration, were now being delivered. Trump shared the update on his Truth Social platform, stating, "A lot of things that were ordered and paid for by Israel, but have not been sent by Biden, are now on their way!"
The 2,000-pound bombs had been withheld last year by the Biden administration, amid concerns over their use in densely populated Gaza, where Biden had warned they could result in significant civilian casualties and "great human tragedy."
The situation surrounding the munitions comes after Israel and Hamas agreed to a tentative truce in late December, following the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel. The truce has held, with both sides facilitating exchanges of prisoners over the weekend.
Though Trump’s post did not confirm the exact weapons being sent, Israeli national security journalist Barak Ravid reported that Trump ordered the Pentagon to lift the hold on the bombs.
During his first term, Trump often emphasized his close relationship with Israel, claiming that the country "never had a better friend in the White House," a sentiment echoed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. However, relations between the two soured after Netanyahu congratulated Joe Biden on his 2020 election win, prompting Trump to accuse the Israeli leader of disloyalty.