Hebrew Translations – Quds News Network: Hebrew sources reported that the Israeli forces used American MK84 bombs, weighing a ton of explosives, during the massacre in Khan Yunis.
Hebrew estimates suggested that the American bombs used by the Israeli forces in the Khan Yunis massacre were part of the arms shipment that the United States delayed in May.
The MK84 bomb, also known as the Mark 84, was nicknamed the “hammer” due to its devastating impact upon detonation. It weighs 2,000 pounds (approximately 900 kilograms) and is a guided bomb with an explosive warhead.
It is likely that the same bomb was used to attack civilians in the massacres at the Baptist Hospital and Jabalia Camp during the October 2023 Gaza war, as military experts believe that the Israeli airstrikes in these two locations caused damage consistent with the effects of the “hammer” bomb.
The explosive charge comprises 45% of the bomb’s total weight and can create a crater approximately 15 meters wide and more than 10 meters deep.
The bomb can penetrate metal to a depth of regarding 38 centimeters and roughly 3 meters of concrete depending on the drop height and aiming. The bomb causes deadly damage in a radius exceeding a circle with a diameter of approximately 73 meters.
American arming of the occupation
The United States is the largest supplier of weapons to the Israeli occupation, and its military aid has significantly impacted the occupation’s operations in Gaza.
On Thursday, the Wall Street Journal quoted US officials as saying that the Biden administration had approved the shipment of 500-pound bombs to Israel.
American officials stated that these bombs are currently being shipped and are expected to arrive in Israel in the coming weeks.
A US official told Al Jazeera that Washington would continue to delay the delivery of 2,000-pound bombs, expressing concern regarding their use prior to an anticipated operation in the southern Gaza Strip, Rafah.
In May, the United States suspended the shipment of heavy bombs to Israel, citing concerns regarding potential impact on densely populated areas in Gaza.
However, Washington has consistently provided Tel Aviv with extensive support across military, intelligence, and diplomatic spheres since the beginning of the Gaza war. The United States is set to provide Israel with billions of dollars worth of weapons in the coming months. In early June, Tel Aviv signed a deal to purchase 25 American F-35 fighter jets for $3 billion.
Last April, Biden signed a $26.4 billion aid package for Israel, including $14 billion in military aid.
The Washington Post reported that the United States has provided the Israeli occupation army with military aid exceeding $6.5 billion since the start of the Gaza war.
Meanwhile, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, the Palestinian Resistance Committees, and the Mujahideen Movement held the United States responsible for the Khan Yunis massacre, deeming it a partner in the genocide.
The MK84 Bomb: A Weapon of Mass Destruction Used in the Gaza Massacre
Hebrew Translations – Quds News Network: Hebrew sources have reported that the Israeli occupation forces used American MK84 bombs, which carry a ton of explosives, in the Mawasi Khan Yunis massacre. The Israeli bombing campaign in Gaza has been met with widespread international condemnation, with many calling for an end to the violence.
Hebrew estimates suggest that the American bombs used in the Khan Yunis massacre were part of the arms shipment that the United States delayed last May. This delay was reportedly due to concerns regarding the potential impact of these powerful bombs on heavily populated areas in Gaza.
The Devastating Power of the MK84 Bomb
The MK84 bomb, also known as the Mark 84, is a guided bomb with an explosive warhead that carries a devastating payload. It is nicknamed “the hammer” due to the massive destruction it causes upon detonation. The bomb weighs a staggering 2,000 pounds (regarding 900 kilograms) and is capable of causing severe damage to targets.
Military experts believe that the MK84 bomb was likely the weapon used in the devastating attacks on the Baptist Hospital and Jabalia Camp in October 2023. The impact and damage caused by the Israeli raids in these two locations bear a striking resemblance to the effects of the “hammer” bomb.
The explosive ordnance accounts for 45% of the total weight of the bomb, and can create a crater approximately 15 metres wide and more than 10 metres deep, making it incredibly destructive.
Key Features of the MK84 Bomb:
- Weight: 2,000 pounds (regarding 900 kilograms)
- Explosive Yield: 2,000 pounds (regarding 900 kilograms)
- Crater Size: 15 metres wide x 10 metres deep
- Penetration Depth: 38 centimeters (metal), 3 meters (concrete)
- Lethal Radius: 73 meters
US Arming of the Israeli Occupation
The United States is the largest supplier of weapons to the Israeli occupation, and its military assistance has played a critical role in shaping the occupation’s operations in Gaza. The US has consistently provided billions of dollars in military aid to Israel, despite the ongoing human rights violations and the devastating impact of its military actions on the Palestinian people.
The Wall Street Journal reported that the Biden administration had approved the shipment of 500-pound bombs to Israel. These bombs are currently in the shipping stage and are expected to reach Israel in the coming weeks.
A US official told Al Jazeera that Washington would continue to delay sending 2,000-pound bombs, expressing concern regarding their potential use ahead of the Israeli operation in the southern Gaza Strip. However, despite these concerns, the United States continues to provide Israel with a steady stream of weapons, including advanced fighter jets and other sophisticated military equipment.
In early June, Israel signed a deal to purchase 25 American F-35 fighter jets worth $3 billion. In April 2023, Biden signed a $26.4 billion aid package for Israel, including $14 billion in military aid. The Washington Post reported that the United States has provided military aid to the Israeli occupation army worth more than $6.5 billion since the beginning of the current war in Gaza.
International Condemnation and Calls for Accountability
The widespread use of the MK84 bomb in the Khan Yunis massacre and other attacks in Gaza has sparked international outrage and condemnation. Many have called for an end to the violence and for the United States to reconsider its arms sales to Israel. The use of such destructive weapons in densely populated areas like Gaza has led to a horrific loss of life and has had a devastating impact on the civilian population.
Hamas, Islamic Jihad, the Palestinian Resistance Committees, and the Mujahideen Movement have held the United States responsible for the Khan Yunis massacre, calling it a partner in genocide. These groups have demanded an end to US military aid to Israel and have accused Washington of complicity in the ongoing violence in Gaza.
The international community must work to hold Israel accountable for its actions and to ensure that the use of weapons like the MK84 bomb is never once more used once morest the Palestinian people.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza continues to be a source of deep concern and sorrow for many around the world. It is imperative that all parties involved prioritize the safety and well-being of civilians and work towards a peaceful resolution.
