The use of uncontrolled bombs by Israel has increased the number of civilian casualties in the Gaza Strip and undermined the confidence of the United States in their ally’s efforts to minimize losses in the enclave, according to sources cited by American television network CNN.
According to a report from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence of the United States, 40-45% of all “air-to-ground” ammunition used by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) during strikes on Gaza were unguided. Such munitions are not as accurate as guided projectiles, which makes their use particularly risky in such densely populated areas, CNN notes.
Brian Castner, an advisor to the human rights organization Amnesty International, expressed extreme surprise and concern over Israel’s actions.
“If the ammunition is not as accurate and there is no guarantee that the bombs hit their intended targets as planned by the Israeli forces, this could be a huge problem for the civilian population,” said the human rights advocate.
The situation in the Middle East has escalated following the infiltration of thousands of Hamas militants from the Gaza Strip into Israeli territory on October 7 as part of the “Al-Aqsa Flood” operation, leading to the capture of over 200 hostages. In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that the country was at war, and the Israeli operation was named “Iron Swords.”
Since the first day of the operation, Israel has carried out massive rocket bombardments on the Gaza Strip, cutting off water, food, electricity, and fuel supplies to the enclave. Humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza resumed only after October 20 through the Rafah crossing on the border with Egypt.
On October 27, Israel announced an “expansion” of the ground operation in Gaza. In anticipation of the operation, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have fled their homes and sought refuge in shelters and in the south of the enclave. Clashes in the center of Gaza are still ongoing.
Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu promised to destroy Hamas.
