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Israel Using US Smart Bombs on Gaza

Petite missile one of the world's most precise

By Wesley Oliver,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 29, 2008 7:02 AM CST
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(Newser) – The new low-cost, high-precision missiles Israel has been using to bombard Gaza were purchased recently from the United States, the Jerusalem Post reports. In September, the Israel Air Force purchased 1,000 units of the GBU-39, a bunker-buster missile whose small diameter helps minimize collateral damage, earning it a rep as one of the most accurate bombs in the world.

Aircraft can carry a larger number of the petite 6-foot-long bomb, increasing the number of targets possible during a single mission. The GBU-39, which can churn through steel-reinforced concrete a yard thick, can be used in inclement weather and has a standoff range of 68 miles.

Palestinians run as an explosion is seen during an Israeli missile strike on the Hamas controlled Islamic University in Gaza City, Monday, Dec. 29, 2008.
Palestinians run as an explosion is seen during an Israeli missile strike on the Hamas controlled Islamic University in Gaza City, Monday, Dec. 29, 2008.   (AP Photo/Hatem Moussa)
Black smoke rises from a burning building as Palestinians gather at the site of an Israeli missile strike in the Rafah refugee camp, southern Gaza Strip, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2008.
Black smoke rises from a burning building as Palestinians gather at the site of an Israeli missile strike in the Rafah refugee camp, southern Gaza Strip, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2008.   (AP Photo/Eyad Baba)
Palestinian firefighters try to extinguish fire at a burning building after an Israeli missile strike in the Rafah refugee camp, southern Gaza Strip, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2008.
Palestinian firefighters try to extinguish fire at a burning building after an Israeli missile strike in the Rafah refugee camp, southern Gaza Strip, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2008.   (AP Photo/Eyad Baba)
Black smoke rises from a burning building as Palestinians gather at the site of an Israeli missile strike in the Rafah refugee camp, southern Gaza Strip, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2008.
Black smoke rises from a burning building as Palestinians gather at the site of an Israeli missile strike in the Rafah refugee camp, southern Gaza Strip, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2008.   (AP Photo/Eyad Baba)
An explosion after an Israeli missile strike in the northern Gaza Strip is seen from southern Israel, next to Israel's border with the Gaza Strip, Monday, Dec. 29, 2008.
An explosion after an Israeli missile strike in the northern Gaza Strip is seen from southern Israel, next to Israel's border with the Gaza Strip, Monday, Dec. 29, 2008.   (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)
Israel's air campaign against the Gaza Strip inched closer to the territory's Hamas rulers as the assault entered its third day, as missiles struck a house next to the Hamas premier's home.
Israel's air campaign against the Gaza Strip inched closer to the territory's Hamas rulers as the assault entered its third day, as missiles struck a house next to the Hamas premier's home.   (AP Photo/Hatem Moussa)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 4 comments
justme
Dec 30, 2008 6:03 AM CST
Enough said.
Guest
Dec 29, 2008 9:39 PM CST
Nice little going away present for Bush from Israel -- one more chance to drop US-made smart bombs on Arab civilians. Hard to see any good coming from this unless you are a politician on either side able to fashion it into something that will get you reelected.
vendetta
Dec 29, 2008 7:10 PM CST
indeed, israel as bent over backwards and all they get in return is rockets fired at them. i deplore war, but in this case they are more than justified.

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Israel • Gaza • Hamas • bombing • Israel and Palestinians • missile • Palestinian people • bunker busting bombs

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