Washington OKs $510m in bombs sales to Israel

The Pentagon and State Department sign off on deal to sell more than half a billion dollars’ worth of advanced aerial munitions guidance systems to Israel after 12-day war in Iran.

By World Israel News Staff

The United States announced on Monday plans to sell more than half a billion dollars’ worth of advanced aerial munitions systems to Israel, days after the end of the 12-day air campaign against Iran and as Israel continues its war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Both the Pentagon and the State Department signed off on the sale of more than 7,000 Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) guidance system kits to the Israeli Air Force.

The JDAM kits enable ground crews to upgrade unguided 500-pound and 2,000-pound aerial munitions into guided bombs.

“The proposed sale will enhance Israel’s capability to meet current and future threats by improving its ability to defend Israel’s borders, vital infrastructure, and population centers,” the Pentagon said on Monday.

“The United States is committed to the security of Israel, and it is vital to US national interests to assist Israel to develop and maintain a strong and ready self-defense capability.”

The sale will now go before Congress for final authorization.

The announcement came amid reports citing both Israeli and American officials who said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is slated to travel to Washington next Sunday for a meeting with President Donald Trump.

The two are expected to discuss the fallout of the recent conflict with Iran, the possibility of achieving a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, and a deal returning the remaining hostages to Israel, as well as the expansion of the Abraham Accords.

Also on Monday, Trump formally rescinded American sanctions on Syria, one of the countries eyeing possible entry into the Abraham Accords and normalization with Israel.