US President Donald Trump has been repealing several administrative decisions taken by his predecessor Joe Biden. And the latest among the list is an order asking the Pentagon to lift a ban on delivery of 2,000 pound bombs to Israel.
The Biden administration in May 2024 paused supply of around 3,500 bombs to Israel to put a curb on mass casualties in Rafah, which is heavily populated. The US has supplied more than 10,000 of these bombs to Israel. These include 1,800 MK-84 “bunker-buster” bombs, which can penetrate underground bunkers before exploding.
How lethal are MK-84 bombs?
Detonation of MK-84 or Mark-84 bombs can result in craters that are 15-metre in diameter and 11-metre deep. They can also penetrate concrete up to 3.4 metre and metals up to 38 cm.
MK-84 was reportedly used in the attack on Al-Mawasi in Rafah that killed Hamas commander Rafa Salama and around a 100 civilians on July 13, 2024. Israel also reportedly used the bomb in assassinating Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah on September 27, 2024.
Taking to Truth Social, Trump said, "A lot of things that were ordered and paid for by Israel, but have not been sent by Biden, are now on their way!"
This comes less than a week after Trump revoked sanctions imposed by Biden in 2024 on violent settlers in West Bank. He had also ordered a 90-day pause on foreign development assistance to Palestinians.
During his election campaign, Trump vowed to provide Israel with all resources required to get the hostages released.
Trump is said to be instrumental in persuading Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to accept the ceasefire deal. Before his inauguration, Trump threatened Hamas that there would "all hell to pay" if the hostages are not released. His Middle-East envoy Steve Witkoff met with the Israeli premier a day before Netanyahu sent Mossad and Shin Bet chiefs to Doha for final negotiations.
Trump earlier said that Hamas cannot rule Gaza after the war ends, adding that he is not confident whether the ceasefire deal will complete all the three phases.
Hamas has released seven women hostages so far, including three civilians and four soldiers. These include Romi Gonen, Emily Damari, Doron Steinbrecher, Naama Levy, Liri Albag, Karina Ariev and Daniella Gilboa.
The other women hostages under Hamas captivity are civilians Silberman Bibas and Arbel Yehud and soldier Agam Berger. Besides, Silberman Bibas's sons, five-year-old Ariel Bibas and two-year-old Kfir Bibas are also held by Hamas.