WASHINGTON, Jan 25, 2025 – President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that he has instructed the US military to release a hold imposed by former President Joe Biden on the supply of 2,000-pound bombs to Israel. The move was widely expected and marks a significant shift in US policy towards its ally.
“We released them. We released them today. And they’ll have them. They paid for them and they’ve been waiting for them for a long time. They’ve been in storage,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One.
Biden had previously halted the shipment of these bombs due to concerns over their potential impact on civilian populations, particularly in Gaza’s Rafah, during Israel’s war in the Palestinian enclave. One 2,000-pound bomb can rip through thick concrete and metal, creating a wide blast radius.
Trump’s decision comes amid a tenuous ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which has led to the release of some Israeli hostages held by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. The conflict, which began with Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, has resulted in significant casualties and a humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The US has provided billions of dollars in military aid to Israel since the war began, and Trump’s latest move underscores his administration’s strong support for the country. “A lot of things that were ordered and paid for by Israel, but have not been sent by Biden, are now on their way!” Trump stated on his Truth Social platform.
The release of the bombs is expected to have significant implications for the ongoing conflict and the broader geopolitical landscape in the region.