A two-ship of Israeli Air Force F-16s from Ramon Air Base, Israel, head out to the Nevada Test and Training Range, July 17 during Red Flag Exercise 09-4. Photo: Master Sergeant Kevin J. Gruenwald
The Israeli Air Force is using US-made guided bombs in its ongoing bombing campaign against Palestinian groups in the Gaza Strip.
On May 13th, sources in the Palestinian region shared photos showing US-made GBU-31 and GBU-39 bombs, which were dropped by Israeli warplanes.
The GBU-31 is a Mk-84, a BLU-109 or a BLU-119 bomb equipped with the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) guidance kit, which relays on an inertial navigation system (INS) and GPS. The bomb has a range of up to 28 kilometers.
GBU-31 JDAM captured before impact in Rafah, #Gaza pic.twitter.com/gSSg6XIf1o
— Aurora Intel (@AuroraIntel) May 13, 2021
The GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb (SDB), which was first introduced by Boeing in 2006, is a glide bomb with a range of 110 kilometers. The bomb also relays on an INS\GPS guidance system.
الاحتلال يستخدم صواريخ #مجنحة لقصف منازل المواطنين في قطاع غزة pic.twitter.com/hgNI9mlU5u
— وكالة شهاب للأنباء (@ShehabAgency) May 13, 2021
In the last few hours, Israeli warplanes struck several targets in Gaza, including five apartments, which belong to senior commanders of the Hamas Movement, a compound of the group’s intelligence and a long-range rocket launcher.
One of the targeted apartments belonged to Samer Abu-Daka, head of Hamas drone force. The faction carried out two attacks with suicide drones at Israeli targets in the last 48 hours.
IAF aircraft struck an apartment belonging to the deputy commander of the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades of the Hamas terror organization in the northern Gaza Strip. pic.twitter.com/N2W5YXSiW5
— Israeli Air Force (@IAFsite) May 13, 2021
#IDF have release additional footage of targeted strikes against operation apartments from where attacks have been conducted. pic.twitter.com/bbuTqs8aoc
— Aurora Intel (@AuroraIntel) May 13, 2021
Muhammed Shabane, Rafah Brigade Commanders house was struck. pic.twitter.com/7MplDIog8y
— Aurora Intel (@AuroraIntel) May 13, 2021
#IDF release footage of a Maglan unit strike against a Hamas ATGM launcher located in a high-rise residential building in Southern #Gaza pic.twitter.com/RmPhwrnmMV
— Aurora Intel (@AuroraIntel) May 13, 2021
Israeli warplanes have carried out nearly 1,000 airstrikes on targets in the Gaza Strip since the outbreak of clashes with Palestinian factions on May 10th. In response, Palestinian fighters launched more than 1,750 rockets at different parts of Israel.
So far, Israel’s extensive aerial operations have failed to stop rocket fire from Gaza. According to a spokesman for the Israeli military, a ground operation against Palestinian factions may begin very soon. The military has called up 7,000 reservists and cancelled leave for all combat units.
