U.S. Approves $510mn Sale of Munitions Guidance Kits to Israel

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The United States has approved the sale of military equipment valued at US$510 million, or approximately Rp8.25 trillion, to Israel.

This sale includes thousands of Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) precision bomb guidance kits, along with associated technical and logistic support. The decision was announced by the U.S. Department of State and the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) on Tuesday, July 1, 2025.

As reported by Anadolu, the sale comprises 3,845 units of KMU-558B/B JDAM kits for BLU-109 bombs and 3,280 units of KMU-572 F/B JDAM kits for MK 82 bombs. In its statement, the DSCA noted, "This proposed sale will enhance Israel’s capability to meet current and future threats by improving its ability to defend its borders, vital infrastructure, and population centers."

U.S. Commitment to Israel's Defense

The DSCA further stated that this sale will not alter the military balance in the region and will not necessitate the additional placement of U.S. government personnel or contractors in Israel.

The DSCA reiterated the United States' commitment to Israel's security. "It is vital to U.S. national interests to assist Israel to develop and maintain a strong and ready self-defense capability. This proposed sale is consistent with those objectives," they said.

According to The Times of Israel, this sale requires final approval from the U.S. Congress, to which the DSCA has sent an official notification. The report also indicated that the sale follows Israel's significant expenditure of ammunition in its recent conflict with Iran.

Growing Criticism of U.S. Military Support

The decision to proceed with this sale comes amid Israel's ongoing large-scale military operations in the Gaza Strip.

An Anadolu report on the same day as the sale announcement stated that at least 97 Palestinians were killed due to Israeli air and artillery strikes hitting several areas in Gaza, including designated civilian refuge zones.

Since October 2023, health authorities in Gaza have reported over 56,500 Palestinian fatalities due to Israeli attacks, with the majority being women and children. Criticism against the U.S. is intensifying as it continues to provide military support to Israel despite the high number of civilian casualties.

According to a report from TRT World, U.S. President Donald Trump has been advocating for a ceasefire in Gaza. White House Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stated that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed a desire to meet with President Trump, and both parties are arranging a schedule.

"This has been a priority for the president since he took office, to end this brutal war in Gaza," said Leavitt. She mentioned that President Trump is concerned about the war conditions in Gaza and seeks an immediate end to the conflict, as the images from the region are deeply distressing.

Israel is currently facing international legal proceedings. Last November, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Additionally, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is processing a genocide case against Israel concerning the war in the Gaza Strip.

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