In a powerful and deadly strike, Israeli forces reportedly used American-made bombs to kill Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut on Friday night. According to a CNN investigation, footage of the attack, along with expert reviews of the weapons used, suggests that massive, 2,000-pound bombs, likely made in the US, were at the heart of this operation.
The Israeli military shared a video on Saturday showing fighter jets carrying at least 15 of these heavy bombs, including the BLU-109, which is nicknamed a “bunker buster.” These bombs are designed to explode deep underground, making them perfect for hitting fortified targets like Nasrallah’s hideout. A former US Army explosives expert, Trevor Ball, analyzed the footage and confirmed that these bombs were equipped with a special “smart” guidance system called JDAM (Joint Direct Attack Munition). This system turns a regular bomb into a precision weapon, allowing it to hit a target with extreme accuracy. Ball noticed at least four BLU-109 bombs with these JDAM kits attached in the footage.
Other types of large bombs might have been used in the attack as well, but the BLU-109 was the only one clearly visible. These bombs aren’t just heavy – they’re designed to break through thick walls and underground bunkers before exploding. Although they carry slightly less explosive power than other bombs like the MK84, their ability to penetrate deep makes them extremely effective for attacks on hidden, well-protected targets.
The aftermath of the attack was devastating. Satellite images and videos showed a deep crater surrounded by destroyed buildings in the Dahiyeh neighborhood of southern Beirut, where the strike took place. CNN confirmed that four apartment buildings had been leveled in the explosion, leaving behind a scene of utter destruction.
Some Israeli officials told The New York Times that around 80 bombs were used in the operation. While experts, like Trevor Ball, agree this is possible, it’s hard to confirm exactly how many bombs were dropped based on the crater alone. The rubble from the destroyed buildings may have filled some of the craters, making it difficult to count the exact number of munitions used. The Israeli military hasn’t released footage showing the exact moment the bombs were dropped, but videos circulating on social media show massive explosions and smoke plumes rising over Beirut.
According to Justin Bronk, an airpower expert in London, the destruction and craters left behind are exactly what you’d expect from these 2,000-pound bunker busters. He explained that these bombs are ideal for hitting hardened, underground targets like Nasrallah’s headquarters. The Israeli military confirmed that the bombs hit with extreme precision, targeting Nasrallah’s underground hideout.
This isn’t the first time Israel has used these powerful bombs. The country’s military has frequently relied on 2,000-pound bombs in its ongoing conflict with Hezbollah and during its strikes in Gaza. These bombs, which are mostly made in the US, can cause a massive amount of destruction due to their size and explosive power. Just one blast can destroy entire buildings and cover a lethal area as large as 58 soccer fields.
The Biden administration previously paused shipments of these bombs to Israel over concerns about civilian casualties, but they remain a critical part of Israel’s military arsenal. Over the weekend, Israel continued its strikes in Lebanon, killing over 100 people and injuring hundreds more. The strikes were focused on Hezbollah targets, but at least 12 locations across Beirut were hit, including a major intersection in the city center. This marked the first time in nearly a year that Israeli bombs had hit within the city limits of Beirut.
As tensions continue to rise, this dramatic and deadly strike on Nasrallah shows just how powerful and precise modern warfare has become – with US-made bombs playing a crucial role in shaping the battlefield.
