The United States has approved a major arms sale to Israel, authorising the transfer of $510 million worth of guided bomb kits despite mounting international criticism over Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza. According to an official statement released by the US State Department on Monday (June 30), the deal includes the sale of thousands of Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) guidance kits and related technical support.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) confirmed that under this potential sale, Israel will receive 3,845 KMU-558B/B JDAM guidance kits designed for use with the BLU-109 bomb, alongside 3,280 KMU-572 F/B JDAM kits used with MK-82 bombs. These kits effectively convert conventional bombs into precision-guided munitions, enhancing the lethality and accuracy of Israel’s airstrikes. Engineering, logistics, and technical support services are also included in the package.
This approval comes at a time when the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate rapidly. Since the Israeli offensive began in October 2023, Gaza’s health authorities report that at least 56,500 Palestinians have been killed, with the majority being women and children. Just on Monday, Israeli air and artillery strikes on densely populated areas, including schools and refugee shelters, killed at least 97 more civilians.
The arms sale has drawn intense condemnation from international human rights organizations, analysts, and political observers. Many argue that continued US military support to Israel, particularly during an active and deadly offensive, constitutes moral complicity in potential war crimes. Critics also point out that the weapons and precision guidance systems supplied by the US are being used in attacks that have resulted in significant civilian casualties and the destruction of Gaza’s infrastructure.
This controversial approval follows recent international legal actions against Israel. In November 2024, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and then-Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Simultaneously, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) continues to hear a genocide case filed against Israel, intensifying global scrutiny of its actions.
Despite these proceedings, the Biden administration has reiterated its unwavering support for Israel’s right to self-defence, while also calling for greater measures to protect civilians. However, critics argue that arms transfers of this scale directly undermine US statements on humanitarian concerns and accountability.
The newly approved weapons package further entrenches the US as Israel’s largest arms supplier at a time when regional tensions remain high and ceasefire efforts continue to face significant obstacles.
