US-Made Bombs Found in Gaza Apartment Block After Israeli Strike

Debris from an Israeli strike on an apartment building in northern Gaza on January 7 included remnants of at least three US-manufactured GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs, one of which failed to detonate. The attack, which reportedly killed two people, occurred despite a ceasefire being in effect since October and the announcement of a "Board of Peace" led by US President Donald Trump to oversee reconstruction efforts. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated the strike targeted a senior Hamas operative in response to a ceasefire violation.

The presence of American munitions highlights the significant role of US military aid in Israeli operations within Gaza. The United States has provided billions in military assistance to Israel, including substantial allocations since the current conflict began, with major weapon sales approved in the early months of the Trump Administration. However, human rights organizations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have raised concerns that US-made weapons have been used in ways that potentially violate international law.

A 2024 US State Department report, issued under former President Joe Biden, acknowledged that Israel’s reliance on US defense articles makes it "reasonable to assess" their use in instances inconsistent with International Humanitarian Law obligations. While Israel maintains it operates within international law and strives to minimize civilian harm, the full scope of civilian casualties linked to US-produced weapons in Gaza remains difficult to ascertain due to restrictions on foreign media access and the dangers faced by local journalists documenting events.