European Missile Maker Fuels Gaza Bombs Used in Deadly Strikes

Investigation links MBDA components to attacks killing children

Europe’s premier missile manufacturer, MBDA, supplies critical components for bombs deployed extensively in Gaza, with reports indicating Palestinian children and civilians have been killed in airstrikes utilizing these weapons.

Supply Chain Scrutinized

A joint investigation by independent newsrooms has delved into the supply chain of the GBU-39 bomb, a weapon utilized in numerous strikes during the ongoing conflict. Concerns are escalating over European firms potentially profiting from the widespread devastation in Gaza.

MBDA’s US-based factory manufactures the “wings” essential for the GBU-39, a bomb produced by Boeing. These wings deploy after launch, guiding the munition to its target.

Financial flows indicate that revenues from MBDA Incorporated in the US are channeled through MBDA UK before reaching the group’s French headquarters. Last year, MBDA distributed nearly £350 million in dividends to its major shareholders: BAE Systems, Airbus, and Leonardo.

UK Export Policy Under Fire

Despite the UK foreign minister, **David Lammy**, suspending some arms export licenses to Israel in September due to risks of “serious violations” of international humanitarian law, the effectiveness of these measures is questioned. The ban primarily targets items that could be used in the Gaza conflict, but it does not extend to components supplied by foreign subsidiaries of UK-linked companies.

Open-source analysis and weapons experts have verified 24 instances where GBU-39s were used in attacks resulting in civilian casualties, with children among the fatalities. Many of these strikes occurred in schools and tent camps housing displaced families, with reports of no prior warning being given.

A Child’s Nightmare in Gaza

In the early hours of May 26th, a bomb struck the Fahmi al-Jarjawi school in Gaza City, where dozens of families had sought refuge. Local emergency services reported that 36 people, half of them children, perished in the ensuing inferno. A harrowing video captured a young girl, five-year-old **Hanin al-Wadie**, stumbling through the flames in a desperate search for escape.

Weeks later, **Hanin** remained hospitalized with severe burns and deep psychological trauma. Her parents and sister were killed in the blast. Her uncle, **Ahmed al-Wadie**, a nurse, described her words: “When she walks, she says she is afraid to step on the bodies.” He added, “Imagine a child in this situation seeing her parents in front of her in a fire, seeing them with her eyes.”

International humanitarian law strictly prohibits attacks on civilian structures like schools. The United Nations and Amnesty International have flagged such incidents as potential war crimes, emphasizing the legal duty to take precautions to protect civilians and provide effective warnings for evacuation when feasible. Witnesses confirmed no warning was issued before the school attack.

The Israeli military stated it targeted a command and control center within the school used by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, claiming to have taken measures to minimize civilian harm. Weapons experts identified GBU-39 bomb fragments, including its distinctive wings, at the scene.

The GBU-39, also known as the Small Diameter Bomb (SDB), is supplied to Israel through the US military aid program. An estimated 4,800 have been sent since October 7, 2023. The most recent shipment of 2,166 was announced in February, as nearly 70% of Gaza was reduced to rubble.

The bomb is designed to destroy specific parts of buildings rather than cause widespread collapse, initially seen as a more precise alternative to heavier munitions. However, in enclosed spaces, it creates a lethal fireball. The 24 verified cases documented between November 2023 and May 2024 resulted in over 500 deaths, including at least 100 children.

One devastating incident occurred on May 26th at Kuwaiti Peace Camp 1 in Rafah, where airstrikes ignited a fire that engulfed tents. Amnesty reported that a toddler and a woman were decapitated by bomb fragments, with the Gaza health ministry recording 45 dead and 249 injured. The Israeli military claimed it was targeting a Hamas compound and suspected an unknown combustible substance caused the fire. Amnesty accused the military of failing to distinguish between combatants and civilians.

Data suggests an increased use of GBU-39s by the Israeli military in 2024. Sixteen of the verified attacks targeted schools that had become makeshift shelters for displaced populations, while others struck tent camps and homes.

The Israeli military spokesperson stated that strikes are conducted based on military necessity and in strict accordance with international law, claiming all feasible precautions are taken. They also asserted that Hamas routinely stores weapons within civilian buildings.

Corporate Responsibility and Arms Trade

MBDA’s “Diamond Back” wing system is marketed as a “key component” of the GBU-39, with MBDA identified as the sole known supplier. While public financial records for MBDA Inc. are unavailable, its revenues are consolidated within the UK division, contributing significantly to the wider group’s growing business.

Campaigners argue that MBDA profits from arming Israel and suggest the company could divest its US operations to avoid complicity. They advocate for sanctions and investment bans on companies arming Israel.

The UK’s foreign secretary has suspended 29 licences for arms exports to Israel over concerns about the use of weapons against civilians in Gaza. https://t.co/G7cRz1pIeX

— The Guardian (@guardian) December 6, 2024

The UK’s arms export ban to Israel has limitations, as it does not affect sales by foreign subsidiaries. This means MBDA Inc. in the US can continue supplying components, operating under US arms control regulations.

Despite strong statements regarding potential sanctions following Israel’s actions in Gaza, European leaders have not taken further measures to halt domestic arms firms’ involvement. A UN special rapporteur’s report highlighted that the conflict is “lucrative for many,” underscoring the need to hold the private sector accountable for human rights impacts.

MBDA stated it complies with all applicable national and international laws and that activities potentially involving unlawful practices are prohibited. Boeing referred inquiries to the US government, which emphasized its support for Israel’s right to self-defense.