A shipment of US MK-84 heavy bombs arrived in Israel overnight, the Israeli Defence Ministry announced today.

At the same time, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is visiting Jerusalem, where he is expected to hold meetings with the Israeli leaders.

US President Donald Trump recently lifted the suspension imposed by his predecessor, Joe Biden, on the delivery of these bombs due to concerns about their impact on the civilian population, particularly in densely populated areas of the Gaza Strip.

Tonight at Ashdod port, a shipment of heavy bombs from the United States was received and unloaded. The consignment contains roughly 1,800 one-ton MK-84 bombs—cargo that was recently authorized by the Trump administration after having been held up under Biden. 

The MK-84 is a 2,000-pound bomb capable of penetrating thick layers of concrete and metal, creating a large blast radius.

According to Reuters, the Biden administration had sent thousands of 2,000-pound bombs to Israel following the 7 October 2023 attack by Palestinian Hamas militants but later suspended the delivery of one of the shipments.

Also read: USA | Biden Administration Announces $8 Billion Arms Sale to Israel