US Sent Thousands of 2,000-Pound Bombs and Hellfire Missiles to Israel Since October 7th : Reports

The Biden administration has been quietly shipping large quantities of munitions to Israel, including over 10,000 highly destructive 2,000-pound bombs and thousands of Hellfire missiles, since the start of the war in Gaza last October. According to two US officials briefed on the matter, the shipments have continued despite international calls to limit weapons supplies and a recent administration decision to pause a shipment of powerful bombs.

The officials revealed that between the war's start and recent days, the United States has transferred at least 14,000 of the MK-84 2,000-pound bombs, 6,500 500-pound bombs, 3,000 Hellfire precision-guided air-to-ground missiles, 1,000 bunker-buster bombs, 2,600 air-dropped small-diameter bombs, and other munitions. These numbers suggest that there has been no significant drop-off in US military support for its ally, despite growing concerns over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Experts say the contents of the shipments appear consistent with what Israel would need to replenish supplies used in its intense military campaign in Gaza, which it launched after the October 7 attack by Palestinian Hamas militants. "While these numbers could be expended relatively quickly in a major conflict, this list clearly reflects a substantial level of support from the United States for our Israeli allies," said Tom Karako, a weapons expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Why it Matters : The delivery numbers, which have not been previously reported, provide the most up-to-date and extensive tally of munitions shipped to Israel since the Gaza war began. The shipments are part of a bigger list of weapons sent to Israel since the conflict began, with a senior Biden administration official stating that Washington has sent $6.5 billion worth of weapons to Israel since October 7. The continued flow of weapons to Israel has sparked controversy, particularly among young Democrats, as the Biden administration faces criticism for its support of Israel's military operation in Gaza.

The international community has been increasingly critical of Israel's actions in Gaza, with the Palestinian death toll exceeding 37,000 and the coastal enclave left in ruins. The Biden administration has faced pressure to place conditions on military aid to Israel, but so far, it has only delayed one shipment of 2,000-pound bombs over concerns about their impact in densely populated areas.

Key Takeaways:

• The US has sent over 10,000 2,000-pound bombs and thousands of Hellfire missiles to Israel since the start of the Gaza war.
• The shipments include 14,000 MK-84 2,000-pound bombs, 6,500 500-pound bombs, and 3,000 Hellfire precision-guided air-to-ground missiles.
• The Biden administration has sent $6.5 billion worth of weapons to Israel since October 7.
• The continued flow of weapons to Israel has sparked controversy, particularly among young Democrats.
• The international community has been increasingly critical of Israel's actions in Gaza, with the Palestinian death toll exceeding 37,000.