US senator vows to block $2.8B arms transfer to Israel

​​​​​​US Sen. Chris Van Hollen vowed Wednesday to block a proposed $2.8 billion arms transfer to Israel, criticizing the provision of heavy munitions amid persistent bombardments across the Gaza Strip.

"Trump is sending $2.8 billion of bombs paid for by you, the American taxpayer, to a govt led by a wanted war criminal," the Democratic lawmaker from the state of Maryland wrote on US social media company X.

Van Hollen argued that the military aid is moving forward while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "keeps bombing Gaza & blocks justice for Americans killed on his watch." He questioned how the policy aligns with domestic interests and US President Donald Trump’s “America First” policy. "We will work to stop it," he said.

The post follows reports that the Trump administration is preparing an arms package featuring 40,000 bombs weighing 2,000 pounds (907 kilograms) each, funded through US taxpayer resources. The proposal reportedly includes 20,000 MK-84 bombs, 20,000 BLU-117 munitions and 20,000 I-2000 Penetrator warheads.

Shipments of the MK-84, termed the "hammer" during the 1991 Gulf War, were temporarily paused in 2024 because of civilian casualty concerns before Trump reversed the restrictions in January 2025.

Multiple US nationals have been killed by Israeli forces and occupiers in Gaza and the occupied West Bank in recent years.

Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant are wanted by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.