U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, has placed a hold on the Trump administration’s proposed $2.8 billion arms sale to Israel, citing concerns about how the weapons could be used in densely populated areas.
The proposed package includes 40,000 2,000-pound bombs, among the most powerful conventional munitions in the U.S. arsenal. Meeks said the Trump administration has not provided sufficient assurances that the weapons would be used in accordance with U.S. and international law or with adequate protections for civilians.
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Meeks, a New York Democrat, said his decision was based on what he described as unresolved concerns over the potential use of the weapons in Gaza and Lebanon. He also stressed that his position does not represent a rejection of Israel’s security needs, but rather reflects Congress’ role in overseeing the use of U.S.-funded military equipment.
The proposed sale was informally presented to congressional lawmakers this week. Under the informal congressional review process for major arms sales, Meeks’ refusal to clear the transaction creates a hurdle for the administration but does not give him the power to permanently block the deal on his own.
The administration could still move forward by formally notifying Congress and having Secretary of State Marco Rubiodeclare an emergency national security determination, a mechanism that can bypass the normal review period. Rubio previously used emergency authority to expedite a nearly $3 billion weapons sale to Israel.
The proposed package includes MK-84 and BLU-117 bombs, along with I-2000 penetrator warheads, according to reporting on the transaction. The transfer of 2,000-pound bombs had previously been paused by the Biden administration over concerns about the potential for mass casualties.
The latest dispute comes amid continuing international scrutiny of U.S. military support for Israel and the conduct of the war in Gaza. Meeks said the administration needs to provide stronger assurances that American weapons will be used lawfully and with meaningful safeguards for civilian life.
The State Department had not publicly responded to Meeks’ announcement as of the latest reports. The proposed sale now faces an additional congressional hurdle, although its ultimate fate will depend on whether the administration proceeds with the formal notification and any emergency authority available to it.
