U.S. Selling Large Quantity of Guided Bombs to Israel

The United States is selling a large quantity of guided bombs to Israel, including approval for the sale of bomb kits and related support.This move is aimed at enhancing Israel’s ability to counter current and future threats. The arms deal comes at a time when Israel is continuing its attacks across the Gaza Strip.According to a report by Anadolu Agency on Tuesday (1 July), the U.S. government has approved the sale of $510 million worth of Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) kits and related assistance to Israel. The U.S. State Department confirmed this in a statement on Monday.The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) stated that under this proposed deal, Israel will receive:3,845 KMU-558B/B JDAM guidance kits, used with BLU-109 bombs3,280 KMU-572F/B JDAM kits, used with MK-82 bombsAs well as engineering, logistical, and technical support.According to DSCA, “This proposed sale will enhance Israel’s ability to meet current and future threats, especially in protecting its borders, critical infrastructure, and civilian population.”Anadolu noted that the sale comes amid Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza. Since October 2023, over 56,500 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks, the majority of them women and children, according to Gaza’s health authorities.On Monday alone, Israeli air and artillery strikes killed at least 97 Palestinians, with many others injured. The attacks targeted shelters for displaced people and other densely populated areas.Meanwhile, international criticism of the U.S. is growing due to its continued military support for Israel amid the devastating humanitarian situation in Gaza. Many view this support as making the U.S. morally complicit in war crimes.In November 2024, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.At the same time, a genocide case against Israel regarding its actions in the Gaza Strip is ongoing at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).