500-Pound Bombs
The United States has decided to resume the shipment of 500-pound bombs to Israel, while maintaining a hold on the delivery of more powerful 2,000-pound bombs due to concerns over their potential use in densely populated areas like Gaza.
A US official, speaking anonymously, indicated that the pause on the 2,000-pound bombs was prompted by fears about their impact during Israel’s recent ground operations in Rafah, where many Palestinian civilians sought refuge.
A 500-pound bomb carries a significant destructive potential, affecting everything within a 20-meter blast radius upon detonation.
In contrast, a 2,000-pound bomb has a larger destruction radius of 35 meters, making it more concerning in urban settings.
According to the official, the 500-pound bombs were part of the same shipment as the larger bombs, leading to the temporary halt in their transfer.
However, as the concern primarily centered on the use of the 2,000-pound bombs in Rafah and elsewhere in Gaza, the smaller bombs are now proceeding through the usual supply channels.
The decision to release the 500-pound bombs while withholding the larger ones may provoke criticism of the Biden administration’s support for Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
Israeli officials had previously expressed frustration over delays in weapon supplies, but recent discussions between US and Israeli authorities reportedly addressed logistical issues.
Despite the temporary pause on the 2,000-pound bombs, Israel has continued to receive various other types of US munitions, including MK-84 bombs, Hellfire missiles, bunker-busters, and small-diameter bombs.
This ongoing military support has come under heightened international scrutiny, particularly amid reports of extensive civilian casualties and infrastructure damage in Gaza.
The conflict has left Gaza severely devastated, with significant humanitarian concerns including a high death toll, widespread destruction, and looming food insecurity and disease outbreaks.
Overall, the resumption of 500-pound bomb shipments underscores the complex dynamics of US-Israel relations and ongoing international scrutiny of military operations in Gaza.
