Unguided bombs used in current conflicts: a threat to civilians
In the armed conflicts raging across the world, images of bombings and massive destruction have unfortunately become commonplace. And at the heart of these attacks are often unguided bombs, also known as “dumb bombs.” These conventional weapons, lacking any guidance technology, pose a serious risk to civilians near combat zones.
A recent US intelligence assessment reveals that nearly half of the air-to-ground munitions used by Israel in its conflict with Hamas in Gaza since October 7 have been unguided bombs. Of the 29,000 munitions employed, approximately 40 to 45 percent were dumb bombs, while the remainder were precision-guided munitions.
Unguided bombs are generally less accurate and can pose a greater threat to civilians, especially in an area as densely populated as Gaza. The frequency with which Israel uses these stupid bombs could be contributing to the increase in civilian casualties.
American President Joe Biden has also declared that Israel is carrying out “indiscriminate” bombings in Gaza. This new intelligence assessment calls into question Israel’s claim that it seeks to minimize civilian casualties.
Experts, such as Brian Castner, a former bomb disposal officer who now works as a senior adviser on military operations for Amnesty International, are concerned about the use of these unguided bombs. According to Castner, if the bombs do not precisely hit their target, this poses a serious problem in terms of collateral damage and calls into question Israel’s claim to minimize civilian casualties.
This assessment of American intelligence comes at a delicate time for relations between the United States and Israel. President Biden expressed concern over the increasing number of civilian casualties in the Gaza Strip and said Israel was losing support from the international community. A gap is widening between the two countries over the way in which the Israeli army carries out its operations in Gaza.
It is important to emphasize that the use of unguided bombs in a densely populated area like Gaza significantly increases the chances of missing the target and causing collateral damage. Unguided munitions are less precise and their trajectory can be influenced by many factors, making it difficult to ensure they hit their intended target.
It is therefore crucial to seek alternative solutions that make it possible to minimize civilian losses in armed conflicts. Precision guided bombs provide better accuracy and reduce the risk of collateral damage. It is essential that military forces choose precision over indiscrimination in order to preserve the lives of civilians caught in combat zones.
It is time to take a hard look at the use of unguided bombs in today’s conflicts and promote safer and more precise alternatives. The protection of civilians should be a top priority in any military strategy, to reduce unnecessary suffering and casualties.