The Biden administration in recent days quietly authorized the transfer of billions of dollars in bombs and fighter jets to Israel despite Washington’s concerns about an anticipated military offensive in southern Gaza that could threaten the lives of hundreds of thousands of Palestinian civilians.

The new arms packages include more than 1,800 MK84 2,000-pound bombs and 500 MK82 500-pound bombs, according to Pentagon and State Department officials familiar with the matter. The 2,000 pound bombs have been linked to previous mass-casualty events throughout Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. These officials, like some others, spoke to The Washington Post on the condition of anonymity because recent authorizations have not been disclosed publicly.

The 2,000 pound bombs, capable of leveling city blocks and leaving craters in the earth 40 feet across and larger, are almost never used anymore by Western militaries in densely populated locations due to the risk of civilian casualties.

archive link

  • @GrymEdmEnglish
    48•9 months ago

    A 2000lb bomb “can cause high casualty events and can have a lethal fragmentation radius – an area of exposure to injury or death around the target – of up to 365 meters (about 1,198 feet), or the equivalent of 58 soccer fields in area.” Israel dropped hundreds in the first month alone. The USA dropped just one ever during all the time they were fighting ISIS.

    But Biden and his administration care about limiting civilian casualties. They really mean it - do you folks want another press release? I’m sure we can get more heartfelt looks and earnest words from the White House press rep about serious commitments to ethics and how they’re making sure Israel is innocent of wrongdoing.

    • @MaggotyEnglish
      13•9 months ago

      Oh they’ve done better! You have to give Biden credit! His EO stating we’d investigate to make sure our weapons weren’t being misused was satisfied. The State Department has now announced there is no evidence our weapons are being misused because, (checks notes) our best friend wrote us a note saying they aren’t misusing the weapons. Obviously cause for breathless and strident declarations that there’s no evidence we’re supporting genocide!

      I really really wish I was joking. The Executive Memorandum asked for a fucking letter to satisfy the Leahy Law.

    • @[email protected]English
      6•9 months ago

      They sent their thoughts and prayers didn’t they? That totally trumps any massive bombs