The New York Times analyzed visual evidence and found that during the first six weeks of the war in Gaza, Israel frequently used one of its largest and most destructive bombs in areas designated as safe for civilians.
The investigation focused on the use of 2,000-pound bombs in a southern Gaza area where Israel had instructed civilians to move for safety. While these bombs are used by several Western militaries, munitions experts say US forces rarely use them in densely populated areas anymore.
The Times used an artificial intelligence tool to scan satellite imagery of southern Gaza for bomb craters. Reporters then manually reviewed the search results, looking for craters measuring approximately 40 feet across or larger. According to munitions experts, typically only 2,000-pound bombs create craters of that size in Gaza’s sandy soil.
The investigation identified 208 craters in satellite imagery and drone footage, but there are likely more cases that were not captured due to limited satellite imagery and variations in bomb effects. The findings indicate that 2,000-pound bombs posed a significant risk to civilians seeking safety in southern Gaza.
In response to questions about the bomb’s use in southern Gaza, an Israeli military spokesman told The Times that Israel’s priority was destroying Hamas and that questions about civilian harm would be addressed at a later stage. The spokesman also stated that the IDF takes precautions to minimize civilian harm.
US officials have urged Israel to reduce civilian casualties while fighting Hamas. The Pentagon increased shipments of smaller bombs to Israel, which are considered more suitable for urban environments like Gaza. However, the United States has also sent over 5,000 MK-84 munitions, a type of 2,000-pound bomb, since October.
Reporting contributed by Eric Schmitt, John Ismay, Neil Collier, Yousur Al-Hlou, and Christoph Koettl.