The U.S., a long-standing ally of Israel, has been its largest arms supplier, particularly since the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict.
According to a report from Reuters, citing a U.S. senator, the bombs used by Israel in the airstrike that killed top Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut were American-made guided weapons.
Mark Kelly, chair of the Senate Armed Services Airland Subcommittee, stated that 2,000-lb (900-kg) Mark 84 series bombs, commonly referred to as bunker busters, struck Hezbollah headquarters last week.
“We’re seeing increased use of guided munitions, including JDAMs, and we continue to supply those weapons. The 2,000-pound bomb used to eliminate Nasrallah was a Mark 84 series bomb,” he said, according to Reuters.
JDAMs transform standard unguided bombs into precision-guided weapons by adding fins and a GPS guidance system.
The U.S., a long-time ally of Israel, has been its largest arms supplier, particularly since the Israel-Hamas war began after the Palestinian militant group launched an attack on Israel on October 7, resulting in thousands of deaths.
However, according to The Guardian, the White House was not informed about the airstrike that killed Nasrallah in Beirut, and U.S. President Joe Biden only learned of it after Israeli planes were already airborne.
Israel kills 7 Hezbollah commanders in one week
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have ramped up strikes on Lebanon, killing at least seven Hezbollah commanders in just a week. A day after Nasrallah’s death in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut, the Iran-backed militant group confirmed the death of Nabil Kaouk, the deputy head of Hezbollah’s Central Council. The group also reported that another senior commander, Ali Karaki, was killed in the same attack.
Other Hezbollah commanders who were killed include Ibrahim Akil, Ahmad Wehbe, Mohammad Surour, and Ibrahim Kobeissi.
On Sunday, Israel intensified its bombardment of Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, resulting in over 100 deaths in a single day. According to Lebanon’s health ministry, the attack left 105 people dead and 359 others wounded.
