President Donald Trump has invoked emergency powers to bypass Congress and expedite the sale of over £525 million ($650 million) worth of bombs to Israel, according to officials familiar with the deal.
The package includes thousands of BLU‑110A/B and BLU‑111 bombs for Israel during rising tensions in the Middle East. So far,US and Israeli strikes on Iranhave killed over 1,300 civilians and six American soldiers.
Secretary of State Marco Rubiosaid the sale was necessary to protect US security and help the ongoing air campaign against Iran.
What the Bombs Will Be Used For
According toReuters, the sale includes 12,000 1,000-pound BLU‑110A/B bombs and 500-pound BLU‑111 munitions. This fulfills an Israeli request made after the joint US–Israeli air campaign began.
The bombs are intended primarily for military strikes against Iranian facilities and missile infrastructure. These include long-range targets such as nuclear sites, missile production factories, and naval assets that Israel and the United States consider threats to regional security.
The bombs are designed to destroy hardened targets and disable offensive capabilities.
Israel has also purchased an additional £240 million ($298 million) in munitions through direct commercial sales.
Officials say their use is meant to pre-emptively reduce the risk of attacks on Israel and US allies, though critics warn that such strikes also risk civilian casualties and could escalate the conflict further.
Since the attacks began, civilians have borne the brunt of the escalation.
Source: International Business Times UK
