Beirut, Lebanon – American-manufactured 2,000-pound bombs were likely utilized in an Israeli airstrike that resulted in the death of Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, in Beirut on Friday night. According to analyzed footage of the operation and aftermath by experts in munitions, it was revealed that at least 15 2,000-pound bombs, including the US-made BLU-109, were employed in the attack.
The bombs, nicknamed “bunker busters” for their deep-penetrating capabilities before detonation, were also equipped with the US-made Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) – a precision guidance system converting unguided bombs into accurate munitions for precise targeting. The attack leveled four multistory apartment buildings in Dahiyeh, Beirut’s southern suburbs, as confirmed by video and satellite imagery analyzed by CNN.
Experts speculate that a total of 80 bombs may have been used in the attack on Nasrallah. However, the exact number remains challenging to estimate based solely on available imagery of the crater left by the bombing. The footage revealed consistent use of 2,000-pound BLU-109 bombs fitted with JDAM guidance kits, suggesting a targeted strike on buried and hardened structures.
By utilizing such heavy munitions, like the 2,000-pound bombs, the Israeli military has inflicted substantial casualties in conflict zones like Gaza. The significant impact area of the bombs can result in a high number of casualties due to their extensive blast radius, prompting the Biden administration to halt a shipment of such bombs to Israel earlier in the year.
Continuing their airstrikes in Lebanon, the Israeli military targeted Hezbollah and conducted multiple attacks in various locations, causing more than 100 fatalities and over 350 injuries. Amid the ongoing conflict, Beirut experienced strikes in multiple locations, including a notable attack near the city’s transportation hub, marking a significant escalation in violence within the capital.
The use of American-manufactured heavy bombs in targeted airstrikes has raised concerns about civilian casualties and the extensive damage inflicted on urban areas. Despite the efforts to halt the distribution of such munitions, the use of 2,000-pound bombs persists in military operations, contributing to the devastating impact on civilians caught in the crossfire.