Israel fears what Hamas will do with unexploded U.S. bombs
TEL AVIV Ñ Israel's military is concerned that the Hamas
operatives could try to detonate several advanced U.S. air-to-ground bombs found
unexploded in Gaza City.
Military sources said Israel has sought to track the movement of at
least three unexploded U.S. bombs dropped by the Israel Air Force during the
22-day war with Hamas. They said Hamas seized three of the weapons,
including a 2,000-pound bomb.
"The use of such a bomb could result in a catastrophe," a military
source said.
On Feb. 23, the Israeli military blocked what the sources termed a major
Palestinian strike on a border crossing with the Gaza Strip. The sources
said two large improvised explosive devices were planted near the Kissufim
border terminal.
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The IEDs were detected by Israeli troops who entered the Gaza Strip. The
Israelis opened fire on Palestinians later identified as members of the
Iranian-sponsored Islamic Jihad.
The sources said Hamas and its Palestinian militia allies were believed
to be examining the captured U.S.-made bombs, including the Mk-82. They said
Iranian experts have been summoned to inspect the weapons and recommend ways
to use them against Israel.
"These bombs are sophisticated," the source said. "It's not like you can
attach a fuse and light it."