ISRAEL received a shipment of heavy MK-84 bombs from the United States after President Donald Trump lifted a block imposed by his predecessor, the Defence Ministry said yesterday.

The unguided 2,000-pound bombs can tear through concrete and metal, creating a wide blast radius.

Exports of these munitions were held up by the Biden administration over concerns about their impact on densely populated areas in Gaza.

Defence Minister Israel Katz said the new munitions shipment was a “significant asset” for the Israeli Air Force and demonstrated the “strong alliance” between Israel and the US.

The delivery comes amid concerns over whether the ceasefire for Israel’s war on Gaza will hold.

On Saturday, Hamas released three more Israeli hostages, bringing the total freed to 19, in exchange for 369 Palestinian prisoners, bringing the total released to over 1,000, since the ceasefire began on January 19.

But tensions remain high. Hamas had briefly paused hostage releases, accusing Israel of violating the ceasefire terms, which Israel denied.

Israel warned that “intense” fighting would resume unless all hostages were released.

The majority of the freed Palestinians were taken to Gaza.

The Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) told the BBC that five of those released in the West Bank city of Ramallah were taken straight to hospital.

“They all have chronic illnesses,” PRCS official Mohammad Faqih said, adding that one man had a broken leg.

Yesterday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, fully endorsing Israel’s war aims in Gaza and declaring that Hamas “must be eradicated.”

Mr Trump’s proposal to transfer the Palestinian population out of Gaza and redevelop the territory under US ownership faces growing pushback from Arab leaders.

Mr Netanyahu has welcomed the plan, and said he and Mr Trump have a “common strategy” for Gaza’s future.

He warned that “the gates of Hell would be open” if Hamas does not release the remaining hostages.

The Israeli military meanwhile said it carried out an air strike early yesterday on people who approached its forces in southern Gaza.

Gaza’s Interior Ministry reported that three policemen had been killed while securing aid trucks near Rafah on the Egyptian border, calling the attack a serious violation of the ceasefire.

Hamas accused Mr Netanyahu of trying to sabotage the deal.