The US is handing Israel tens of thousands of heavy bombs for free while its own munitions supply is stretched thin — bad news for American military readiness, good news for Israel.

• The transfer was described as an arms sale but works as a gift: Israel is not paying, since US aid money covers it.
• The package is 40,000 2,000-pound bombs, a huge amount of firepower leaving American stockpiles.
• The US military is already short of munitions, so replacing these weapons will take time and money.
• The Republican committee chairman who approved it, Ryan Mackenzie, has volunteered with the Israeli military and worn its uniform in Congress.
• The deputy running the US embassy in Israel under Mike Huckabee is Mark Levin's stepson, raising questions about who shapes the policy.

Outlook: Expect pushback in Congress over both the cost and the conflicts of interest behind the decision.