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.

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  • gravitas_deficiency@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    81·
    8 months ago

    I think it’s equally valid to focus on the hypocrisy going on right now, and the fact that not just the American public, but the rest of the world’s governments and people are all watching it unfold on a daily basis: the GOP will happily ship unguided bombs to the IDF so they can “hit terrorist strongholds”, but at the same time won’t lift a finger to ship Ukraine some air defense assets and ammunition, or any number of other desperately needed supplies. It’s fucking infuriating.