Did US Supply Israel With ‘Bunker Buster’ Bombs Used In Refugee Camp Strike?

The United States has allegedly been providing military support to Israel amid the war between Hamas fighters and the Israeli forces. According to a new report, the United States provided large ‘bunker buster bombs’ to Israel, which was designed to target and dismantle Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip.

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported, citing US officials, that arms transfers between Israel and the United States began shortly after the October 7 attacks by Hamas fighters.

Did US Supply Israel With ‘Bunker Buster’ Bombs?

The United States reportedly supplied nearly 15,000 bombs and 57,000 artillery shells to Israel. This also included the transfer of 100 BLU-109 bunker buster bombs, each weighing 2,000 pounds.

Israel used the bombs to target underground tunnels utilized by Hamas militants. US officials told WSJ that Israel used the bombs to attack an apartment block within the densely populated Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza. It led to more than 100 casualties and the destruction of the building. The bomb also killed a key Hamas leader.

Airstrikes in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza

At least 50 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes in the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza in November. The Palestinian Ministry of Health confirmed a death toll of at least 50 people. 

According to the US official, Israel used BLU-109 bunker buster bombs to target the refugee camp in Gaza.

Philippe Lazzarini, the head of UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East), slammed the strikes on UN-run schools in Gaza. The Israeli airstrikes targeted the al-Fakhoora School, operated by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency.

Israel-Hamas conflict

Israel-Hamas conflict has increased violence against civilians, including women. The conflict started on 7 October led to the killing of thousands of people.

Civilians are suffering because of the conflict. People living in the Gaza Strip and Israel are facing the consequences of the conflict. 

UNICEF (United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund) said that rights violations against children are rampant because of the Israel-Hamas conflict. 

In October, the President of the United States, Joe Biden, said that Hamas fighters beheaded 40 babies. He said, “I never really thought that I would see, have confirmed pictures of terrorists beheading children.” 

In November, 31 premature babies were evacuated from Al-Shifa Hospital in the Gaza Strip. Dr. Muhammad Zaqout, the director general of hospitals for the Palestinian Health Ministry, told the media, “They were 39. Eight of them died.”