As the war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas sees another day of escalation and intense fighting, the American television network CNN reported today, Thursday, that about half of the bombs dropped by Israel on Gaza from air-to-ground were unguided bombs, known as "dumb bombs," which could lead to a high number of casualties in densely populated areas. CNN cited sources stating that 40 to 45% of the bombs used by Israel since the start of the war on the Gaza Strip were unguided, while the remainder were precision-guided munitions.
The network explained that unguided bombs are less accurate in hitting their targets and pose a greater threat to civilians, especially in the densely populated Gaza, potentially leading to an increase in civilian fatalities. The Israeli bombardment of Gaza, accompanied by ground operations, has led to significant destruction in the enclave, worsening the humanitarian situation and resulting in the deaths of more than 18,500 Palestinians, with over 1.5 million Palestinians displaced after their homes were destroyed.
The Times of Israel reported on Thursday that the Israeli military announced the death of one of its soldiers during battles in Gaza yesterday, raising the number of its fatalities since the onset of the ground offensive to 116. The Israeli military also announced yesterday the deaths of ten officers and soldiers in battles in the Gaza Strip.
The White House reaffirmed yesterday President Joe Biden's statements that Israel is losing support in its war against Hamas due to "indiscriminate bombing" in Gaza. The Washington Post quoted John Kirby, spokesman for the National Security Council at the White House, saying that Biden's criticisms of Israel expressed during a fundraising event in Washington "reflect the reality of global public opinion." Kirby added that American support for Israel "has not diminished, but we have had concerns and conveyed those concerns" to Israel regarding its military campaign in Gaza.
Additionally, the Times of Israel mentioned on Thursday that U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan would arrive in Israel later today for meetings with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog, and others, amidst another day of escalation and fierce fighting in Gaza. The newspaper reported a statement from Netanyahu's office earlier that Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Benny Gantz, the minister in the war cabinet, are among the officials Sullivan will meet.
