The top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee has announced a public “hold” on a proposed $2.8 billion US weapons sale to Israel, stepping beyond the usual behind-the-scenes approach lawmakers use to seek additional information.

Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.), the ranking member of the committee, said on Wednesday that he will not approve the sale at this time. He said he supports Israel’s security and its right to defend itself, but raised concerns about the risk to civilian lives in light of the high death tolls recorded during Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza and against Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Meeks Says He Will Not Clear The Sale

In a statement posted on X, Meeks said the decision reflects Congress’s responsibility to ensure US-funded weapons are used lawfully and responsibly, with safeguards intended to protect human life. He added that the move does not reduce Congressional backing for Israel’s legitimate defence needs.

Meeks’s choice to make his opposition public was described by the report as unusual for a process that is typically handled quietly, with an emphasis on negotiating changes or compromise.

How Informal Holds Are Usually Handled

For larger foreign arms sales, the committee’s top leaders in both the House and the Senate are generally briefed by the State Department and given a chance to place an informal hold. The intention is to allow lawmakers to request further details before the administration proceeds.

The State Department typically works with the member who raises objections and attempts to resolve concerns while the matter is under review.

The Trump administration has, however, previously moved ahead despite Meeks’s objections. In February 2025, it advanced a package of arms despite Democrats placing holds on parts of the sale.

The US government did not immediately provide a comment after the US House reached out to the State Department for input.

Proposed Munitions Package Includes 40,000 Bombs

The weapons package, reported by The Washington Post, would supply 40,000 bombs weighing 2,000 pounds each, with 20,000 MK-84s and 20,000 BLU-117s included. The proposal also comprises 20,000 I2000 Penetrator warheads, according to the report.

The MK-84 is described in US Army materials as capable of producing a crater about 50 feet wide and 36 feet deep. The same data says the weapon can penetrate up to 15 inches of metal or 11 feet of concrete and releases what it calls “legal fragmentation” within a radius of 400 yards.

Previous US Pauses Linked To Civilian Risk

The article also noted that in Israel’s Gaza war, the Biden administration paused a shipment of 2,000 pound bombs due to concerns about rising civilian deaths.

In a report from 2023, The New York Times said Israel’s use of 2,000 pound bombs created a pervasive threat to civilians trying to find safety in Gaza, adding that the munitions were regularly dropped in areas Israel had designated for civilians.

While Congress has still shown broad support for the US-Israel relationship, lawmakers’ positions appear to be shifting, particularly among Democrats. When Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) pushed for a vote on bill text that would cut off US military aid to Israel, it attracted support from 103 Democrats.

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17 September 2026

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Can't see what the problem is, deliver the 2,000lb bombs direct by B52H Stratofortress, each aircraft can carry up to 70,000lbs, so 35 bombs each, 141 currently still in service, 8 trips each, give or take my working out, 2 trips a week, get it done in a month, finish by Christmas, what a great Christmas present for the World.

Just have to wait for the announcement on Truth Social, come on DJT you know you want to do it. 😜