A recent U.S. intelligence assessment has revealed that nearly half of the munitions dropped on Gaza since the war's inception are unguided, so-called 'dumb bombs.' The data highlights the increasing use of these unguided bombs, typically associated with a greater threat to civilians, over precision munitions.
Israeli military officials have previously contended that these 'dumb bombs' are essential to destroying the Hamas tunnels beneath Gaza. However, the type of munitions and their use remains undisclosed, with Israeli military representatives refraining from providing explicit details, citing their policy not to discuss the types of munitions utilized.
The essential issue with 'dumb bombs' is their lack of precision compared to guided munitions. This lack of precision carries severe risks, particularly in densely populated regions such as Gaza where even a few feet discrepancy can lead to unnecessary casualties. This concern has led the U.S. military to consciously phase out the use of unguided munitions over the past decade.
Twitter Post On Israel Heavy Use of Dumb Bombs in Gaza Raises Concerns
While there exist methodologies to make 'dumb bombs' more precise, through application of guidance packages, it is yet unclear how widely Israel has adopted these techniques and to what extent they are being used. The acceptable threshold for potential civilian loss also remains unclear, stirring a concerning debate about the rules of engagement.
The usage of 'dumb bombs' isn't new and seems more of a necessity for Israel, arising due to a lack of enough precision-guided weapons. As such, this marks a significant departure from combat strategies adopted by the US in places like Mosul, where the majority of utilized munitions were precision-guided, resulting in less civilian casualties.
The conflict's gravity has seen effects beyond the geographic borders of Gaza. There have been arrests of four suspected members of Hamas in Europe under the suspicion of plotting attacks on Jewish targets. This raises questions about the operational changes within Hamas, a shift from primarily focusing on fundraising to strategic attacks outside Israel. While the credibility and imminence of these planned attacks are uncertain, it has prompted heavy monitoring from European and U.S. authorities for potential inspired attacks.
