Israel Uses US-made JDAM to Bomb Palestinians in al-Mawasi Camp

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Israeli news site, Maariv, reported on Saturday, July 13, 2024, that the bomb used by Israeli forces in the al-Mawasi massacre was a JDAM bomb made in the United States.

Israeli military radio stated that the Israeli Air Force dropped a total of 8 JDAM bombs during the massacre, which resulted in 390 Palestinians being killed or injured.

Known for its precision and advanced targeting capabilities, the JDAM is a device installed on the Mark 80 series bombs, which converts dumb bombs into precision munitions.

Guided by laser and/or GPS, combines artificial intelligence and advanced sensor technology, and is manufactured by the US and Israel.

Maariv quoted Rotem Meital, director of Israeli military technology company Asgard, as saying that the bombs had previously been at the center of a dispute with the US government.

A few months ago, the bombs were the cause of serious controversy in the US military's weapons delivery dilemma, Meital said.

The latest estimates from the Gaza Health Ministry reveal that the death toll in al-Mawasi camp, a so-called "designated safe zone", has risen to 90 people.

According to the ministry, "half" of the dead were women and children, and at least 300 people were injured, many of them in "critical" condition.

After the massacre occurred, Israel claimed to have killed a high-ranking Hamas commander in the area. However, this statement was later retracted after sources within the Resistance confirmed that Commander Muhammad al-Deif was alive and well.

In a statement, the Resistance clarified that the aim of Israel's accusations was to cover up the horrific massacre carried out by the Israeli occupation in Khan Younis.

Hamas leader Sami Abu Zuhri confirmed to Reuters earlier that a report broadcast by Israel Army Radio, which stated that the attack in Khan Younis targeted the general commander of the al-Qassam Brigades, was "absurd."

He further noted that "all the martyrs were civilians," stressed that "what happened was a dangerous escalation of genocide amidst American support and global silence," and further noted that the massacre was a practical message from the invaders showing that they not interested in any deal."

Despite media reports of disagreements between Israel and the US over arms supplies, Washington continues to provide large quantities of weapons to the regime.

The US has expressed its commitment to the protection of civilians in Gaza and has urged Israel to minimize civilian casualties, but its domestic and international image has soured due to its prominent role in continuing the war and failing to reach a ceasefire.

AL MAYADEEN

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