The Vanishing Palestinians: Israel’s Alleged Use of Incinerating Weapons
Thousands of Palestinians in Gaza have reportedly “disappeared” since the start of the conflict in October 2023, with evidence suggesting the use of weapons capable of obliterating bodies, leaving behind little to no trace. Investigations by Al Jazeera point to the use of thermal and thermobaric munitions, raising serious questions about the conduct of the conflict and the potential for war crimes.
The ‘Evaporation’ Phenomenon
According to reports from Gaza’s civil defense authorities, at least 2,842 Palestinians have been classified as “evaporated” – meaning their remains are untraceable beyond traces of blood or small fragments of tissue. This classification arises from a stark discrepancy between the known number of occupants in targeted buildings and the number of recovered bodies. Civil defense teams use a “method of elimination,” comparing pre-attack resident counts with post-attack body recovery numbers.
Yasmin Mahani, a Palestinian resident, recounted her inability to find her son, Saad, after an Israeli strike on the al-Tabin school in Gaza City. “I entered the mosque and found myself stepping on flesh and blood,” she told Al Jazeera Arabic. Despite days of searching hospitals and morgues, no remains of Saad were found.
Thermal and Thermobaric Munitions: A Closer Look
Experts and witnesses cited in the Al Jazeera investigation link the disappearances to the systematic use of thermal and thermobaric munitions, reportedly supplied by the United States to Israel. These weapons are internationally controversial, with some types being outright prohibited.
Thermobaric munitions, often called vacuum bombs or aerosol bombs, generate temperatures exceeding 3,500 degrees Celsius. US-supplied munitions used in Gaza include MK-84 bombs, BLU-109 bunker busters, and GBU-39 precision-guided munitions. Russian military expert Vasily Fatigarov explained that these weapons don’t just kill. they obliterate matter.
The MK-84, weighing 900 kilograms and containing tritonal, can produce heat up to 3,500 degrees Celsius. The BLU-109 bunker buster creates a massive fireball within enclosed spaces, incinerating everything within its range. The GBU-39, used in the attack on Al-Tabin School, is capable of causing death through pressure waves and thermal radiation.
Legal and Ethical Implications
Legal experts suggest that the indiscriminate use of these weapons implicates not only Israel but also Western nations supplying them. Georgetown University law professor Diana Buttu described it as a “global genocide, not just a genocide by Israel.”
The Future of Warfare and Incinerating Weapons
The allegations surrounding the use of these weapons raise critical questions about the evolving nature of modern warfare and the potential for increasingly destructive technologies. The ability to effectively erase evidence of casualties presents a significant challenge to accountability and international law.
The Rise of ‘Clean’ Warfare?
There’s a disturbing trend towards developing weapons designed to minimize collateral damage *to infrastructure* while maximizing lethality *to people*. This can paradoxically lead to situations where casualties are effectively hidden, making it demanding to assess the true cost of conflict. The focus on precision-guided munitions doesn’t necessarily equate to fewer civilian deaths; it can simply mean those deaths are harder to document.
The Role of US Arms Sales
The continued flow of advanced weaponry from the United States to Israel is under increasing scrutiny. Critics argue that these sales enable the use of disproportionate force and contribute to a cycle of violence. The debate over arms sales is likely to intensify as more evidence emerges regarding the types of weapons used in Gaza.
The Challenge of Accountability
Documenting war crimes becomes exponentially more difficult when evidence is literally vaporized. Traditional forensic methods rely on the recovery of remains, but these methods are rendered ineffective by weapons designed to leave no trace. This necessitates the development of new investigative techniques, potentially involving advanced imaging technologies and analysis of environmental residues.
FAQ
Q: What are thermobaric weapons?
A: Thermobaric weapons create a high-temperature explosion by dispersing a flammable substance and then igniting it, creating a vacuum effect.
Q: Are these weapons illegal?
A: The legality of thermobaric weapons is debated. There is no specific treaty banning them outright, but their use is subject to the laws of war, which prohibit indiscriminate attacks and causing unnecessary suffering.
Q: What is the ‘method of elimination’ used by civil defense teams?
A: It involves comparing the known number of people inside a targeted building with the number of bodies recovered, classifying the difference as “evaporated” if no remains are found.
Q: What role do the United States play in this conflict?
A: The United States is a major supplier of military aid to Israel, including the types of munitions alleged to have been used in Gaza.
Did you know? The temperature generated by thermobaric weapons can exceed that of a nuclear explosion, though over a much smaller area.
Pro Tip: Stay informed about the ongoing conflict by consulting multiple news sources and verifying information before sharing it.
Further investigation and independent verification are crucial to determine the full extent of these allegations and ensure accountability for any violations of international law. The implications of these findings extend beyond the immediate conflict, raising fundamental questions about the future of warfare and the protection of civilians.
Explore more: Al Jazeera, Detik.com
