The United States government is on course to approve a major $2.8 billion (£2.1 billion) military hardware transfer to Israel, delivering thousands of heavy-duty munitions despite ongoing international concerns over the conflict in Gaza.
As reported by France 24, the pending weapons agreement features approximately 40,000 one-ton bombs. Among the destructive ordnance set to be transferred are 20,000 MK-84 bombs, 20,000 BLU-117s, and 20,000 I-2000 Penetrator warheads. The delivery of these 2,000-pound warheads marks a sharp reversal from two years ago, when the previous Biden administration suspended shipments of the same heavy munitions over fears regarding civilian fatalities.
News of the upcoming arms deal comes alongside mounting diplomatic reactions internationally. In Britain, trade unions voted in favour of a motion advocating sanctions and boycotts against Israel over settler violence and the destruction in Gaza, according to Al Jazeera. Meanwhile, the BBC reports that Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has travelled to Strasbourg to seek a closer alliance with the European Union, a move driven by shifting policies coming out of Washington.
Domestic Policy Shifts
The proposed arms export arrives amidst broader domestic policy changes by the Trump administration. The Guardian reports that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has moved to abolish emission limits for coal- and gas-fired power stations, eliminating federal constraints on greenhouse gas output. Administration officials argued the decision would reduce power bills for consumers, though climate experts disputed the claims.
Simultaneously, NPR reports that the US Interior Secretary has outlined plans to install ideological disclaimers at Smithsonian institutions to address what he termed institutional bias. In public health, US Senator Bill Cassidy, a Republican, publicly challenged the administration's vaccine stance during questioning of the surgeon general nominee, pointing to rising measles deaths, according to Al Jazeera.
In other White House developments, Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, aged 69, announced that she is cancer-free, as reported by the BBC.