A shipment of US-manufactured heavy bombs, previously delayed by the Biden administration, has arrived in Israel, the Israeli Defense Ministry confirmed on Sunday, sparking outrage among advocates for Palestinian rights.

The shipment, consisting of MK-84 2,000-pound munitions, arrived at Ashdod Port and was quickly transported to Israeli airbases on dozens of trucks. These devastating weapons, capable of leveling entire neighborhoods, were held back by the Biden administration in May amid Israel’s brutal ground offensive in Rafah, southern Gaza. However, the Trump administration recently lifted the ban, reaffirming its unwavering support for Israel’s military actions, even as a fragile ceasefire holds in Gaza.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz praised the arrival of the bombs, touting the delivery as a testament to the enduring US-Israel military alliance. “The munitions shipment that arrived in Israel tonight, released by the Trump administration, represents a significant asset for the Air Force and the IDF and serves as further evidence of the strong alliance between Israel and the United States,” Katz declared. He went on to thank President Donald Trump for his “unwavering support,” signaling Israel’s intent to bolster its military capabilities despite international calls for peace.

Critics, however, see this as a dangerous escalation, especially given the catastrophic toll of Israel’s war on Gaza. The MK-84 bombs, known for their wide blast radius and destructive power, have been implicated in horrific attacks, including the bombing of Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in October 2023, which claimed over 470 Palestinian lives.

The Israeli Defense Ministry revealed that since the onset of the war on October 7, 2023, Israel has received over 76,000 tons of military equipment, delivered via 678 transport planes and 129 ships, predominantly from the United States. This massive influx of arms has enabled Israel to wage a relentless campaign against Gaza, reducing much of the enclave to rubble and displacing nearly its entire population.

The latest shipment comes despite a ceasefire agreement that took effect on January 19, intended to end what many have condemned as a genocidal war. Over 48,200 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed, and countless others injured or displaced, according to Gaza health officials.

The arrival of these heavy bombs has raised serious questions about the sincerity of the ceasefire and the role of US military support in perpetuating the conflict. Palestinian advocates argue that the continued flow of such destructive weaponry undermines any hope of lasting peace and signals tacit approval of Israel’s actions, which have devastated Gaza and drawn widespread international condemnation.

As the Trump administration doubles down on its support for Israel, the people of Gaza face an uncertain future, with fears mounting that the ceasefire may be little more than a temporary pause in a war that has already claimed too many lives. (ILKHA)