In the midst of the conflict between Israel and Palestine, questions arise regarding the use of 2,000-pound bombs and the potential indiscriminate effects they may have on civilian populations. Experts in the field, such as Mark Alasko, a former defense intelligence analyst and UN war crimes investigator, have voiced concerns about the use of these bombs, which are manufactured by the United States.
According to recent reports, Israel has deployed around 29,000 bombs in Gaza, equivalent to the number of bombs dropped by the US during the 2003 war in Iraq. To put it into perspective, a similar scenario occurred during the 1972 Christmas bombing of Hanoi, where approximately 20,000 tons of bombs were dropped solely on the city. The issue at hand is not only the sheer volume of bombs used but also the size and wide-ranging effects of the 2,000-pound bombs employed. With a lethal radius of roughly 1,200 feet, there are concerns about the potential indiscriminate nature of these attacks.
International laws require military forces to distinguish between military and civilian targets. However, even with the use of highly accurate bombs, the wide-ranging effects can still lead to unintentional damage to civilian areas. The last time the US employed such large weapons in densely populated areas was during the 2003 bombing of Baghdad, marking a 20-year gap since their last major use in urban environments.
In comparison, other Western powers have adopted alternative strategies. During battles against ISIS in Raqqa and Mosul, the US predominantly relied on 500-pound bombs, while the preferred bomb of choice for NATO is the 500-pound variant. Additionally, the US has developed the GBU-39, a smaller weapon with reduced collateral damage capabilities to mitigate harm to civilian populations.
While Israeli officials maintain that rigorous procedures are in place to minimize civilian casualties, critics argue that the number of Palestinian casualties contradicts these claims. The death toll of approximately 20,000 Palestinians during the conflict raises doubts about Israel's adherence to the laws of war. Furthermore, the use of 2,000-pound bombs in southern regions specifically designated as safe zones for Palestinians fleeing the conflict is deemed highly concerning.
Israel has defended its actions, stating that they exceed the efforts of other Western militaries when it comes to safeguarding civilian populations. Measures such as issuing warning messages, urging civilians to evacuate combat zones, making phone calls, and dropping leaflets to direct civilians to alternate areas have been mentioned.
However, the ongoing high civilian death toll and alleged targeting of mid-level Hamas leaders resulting in significant civilian casualties raise questions about the proportionality and legality of Israel's actions.
As the conflict continues, the use of 2,000-pound bombs remains a contentious issue, with experts urging a reevaluation of the strategies employed to ensure the protection of civilian lives.
