Israel received a batch of MK-84 heavy bombs after President Donald Trump lifted an export ban on this type of weapon imposed by the administration of former US President Joe Biden, according to a statement from the Israeli Defense Ministry on February 16.
The MK-84 is an unmanned bomb weighing more than 900 kilograms, capable of penetrating concrete and thick metal, creating a large range of kills. The Biden administration has previously refused to grant Israel an export license for the bomb due to concerns about its impact on densely populated areas in the Gaza Strip.
After the October 7, 2023 attack by the Hamas armed group from Gaza, the Biden administration sent thousands of these bombs to Israel. However, a shipment was later delayed. Last month, Mr. Trump decided to lift the ban, paving the way for Israel to receive the arriving bomb shipment.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said on the evening of February 15 that "the arms lot that just arrived in Israel, approved by the Trump administration, is an important asset for the Air Force and the Israel Defense Forces, and is a testament to the strong alliance between Israel and the US".
The bomb was delivered amid a fragile ceasefire in Gaza. Both sides have accused each other of violating the terms of the agreement to exchange hostages being held in Gaza with Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisoners.
