Senior US Democrat opposes $2.8bn bomb sale to Israel

Gregory Meeks, the ranking Democrat on the US House Foreign Affairs Committee, announced Wednesday that he will not support a proposed $2.8 billion sale of US munitions to Israel, citing concerns over how the weapons might be used in densely populated areas and their compliance with international law.

A US official familiar with the deal said President Donald Trump's administration intends to sell Israel tens of thousands of highly destructive bombs, including around 40,000 bombs weighing 2,000 pounds each.

US arms deals with Israel are subject to informal review by congressional committee leaders, but Meeks's objection alone does not prevent the US president from proceeding if an emergency is declared that requires immediate implementation.

Trump has previously bypassed congressional review to expedite military sales to Israel, leveraging his close ties with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, prior to the outbreak of war between Israel and Iran on February 28.

Meeks, who represents New York, said he remains committed to Israel's security but expressed concerns about the proposed deal, noting that the 2,000-pound bombs are among "the most destructive munitions" in the US arsenal and that serious questions remain about their use in densely populated areas in Gaza and Lebanon.