A shipment of heavy bombs from the United States has arrived in Israel, coinciding with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s first official trip to the region since taking office.

The munitions, including MK-84 2,000-pound bombs, were sent after President Donald Trump’s administration lifted a hold on deliveries that had been imposed during the Biden administration.

A Show of US-Israel Military Support

Israel’s Ministry of Defense confirmed the arrival of the shipment on Sunday. In a statement, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz emphasized the importance of the new weapons.

“A significant asset for the Air Force and the IDF,” Katz said.
He called the delivery “further evidence of the strong alliance” between the US and Israel.
Katz expressed gratitude to Trump and the US administration for their “unwavering support.”

The heavy bomb shipment marks a policy reversal from the Biden administration, which had restricted the delivery of these munitions over concerns they could be used in densely populated areas of Gaza.

Despite tensions between Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the restriction had little impact on US-Israel relations or the course of the Gaza conflict. Critics of the war argued Biden’s restrictions had been too lenient, while pro-Israel advocates saw them as unnecessary obstacles.

Criticism From Gaza Officials

The decision to send heavy bombs has drawn sharp criticism from Palestinian officials.

Salama Maroof, head of Gaza’s Government Media Office, condemned the move, accusing the US of prioritizing weapons over humanitarian aid.

“Instead of sending food, medicine, water, or shelter… the United States, the first democracy in the world and a pioneer of human rights, supports the criminal occupation army with 1,800 heavy MK bombs.”

The war in Gaza remains a deeply divisive issue, with ongoing international debates over US arms sales and military assistance to Israel.

Rubio’s Visit: Key Meetings and Diplomatic Talks

Marco Rubio, who took office as US Secretary of State, arrived in Tel Aviv on Saturday night, where he was welcomed by Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar.

His trip includes high-level meetings, including a Sunday morning discussion with Prime Minister Netanyahu in Jerusalem. One key topic expected to be addressed:

Trump’s controversial proposal for the US to “take over” the Gaza Strip.

Rubio’s visit also follows a US-mediated ceasefire agreement, which led to the release of three Israeli hostages by Hamas just a day earlier.

Other Stops on Rubio’s Middle East Tour

Before his meeting with Netanyahu, Rubio attended mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, one of the most sacred Christian sites.

A news conference is expected later today.

Following his time in Israel, Rubio is scheduled to visit:
Saudi Arabia
United Arab Emirates (UAE)

The Secretary of State’s trip underscores the Biden-to-Trump policy shift on US relations with Israel and the broader Middle East.

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