WASHINGTON — U.S. Representative Gregory Meeks, the senior Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, announced Wednesday his opposition to a proposed $2.8 billion sale of 2,000-pound bombs to Israel, expressing doubts the munitions would be deployed in adherence to international law.

The Trump administration is preparing to sell Israel 40,000 highly destructive 2,000-pound bombs — 20,000 MK-84s and 20,000 BLU-117s — according to a U.S. official with knowledge of the transaction. The White House has informally communicated details of the planned arms transfer to relevant congressional committees that review major arms sales.

Meeks' objection alone does not have the power to block the president from proceeding with the sale. President Trump has previously bypassed congressional review to accelerate military sales to Israel, reflecting his close relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government.

In a statement, Meeks affirmed his commitment to Israel's security while saying the proposed transfer of 40,000 2,000-pound bombs — among the most destructive munitions in the U.S. arsenal — raises unresolved questions about their potential use in heavily populated areas of Gaza and Lebanon.

Israel has regularly used 2,000-pound bombs in military operations in both Gaza and Lebanon, drawing scrutiny from human rights experts globally who have raised concerns about civilian casualties.

The Gaza war began in October 2023 following a Hamas attack on Israel. Gaza health authorities report that more than 73,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's military campaign. A United Nations inquiry concluded that Israel had committed genocide in Gaza, a charge Israel rejects.

In February, the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran, which retaliated with strikes targeting Israel and Gulf states hosting U.S. military bases. U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran and Israeli attacks in Lebanon have resulted in thousands of deaths and displaced millions of people.

Public support within the United States for Israel has declined since the Gaza war began. A June Quinnipiac University poll showed 48 percent of all voters and 66 percent of Democrats believe the United States provides excessive support to Israel — up from 16 percent and 20 percent, respectively, in 2017.

The U.S. State Department and the Israeli Embassy did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the proposed arms package.