CNN
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Israeli forces used U.S. munitions in a deadly attack on a school complex housing displaced people near Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, according to a CNN analysis of video from the scene.
According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip, at least 27 people were killed and 53 injured in the attack, which hit the gate of the Al-Mutanabbi school complex, also known locally as Al-Awda schools.
In a video shot by a journalist working for CNN on site after the attack, the remains of an American-made GBU-39 small bomb can be clearly seen.
The remnant is the tail of the ammunition, say three explosives experts who examined the video for CNN.
“Based on the distinctive shape of the fin, the screw casings, as well as the overall shape of the ammunition fragment… this remnant is consistent with a GBU-39 series tail actuation system located in the rear of the ammunition,” Patrick Senft, research coordinator at Armament Research Services (ARES), told CNN.
Trevor Ball, a former U.S. Army explosive ordnance disposal technician, also told CNN that the remains were a rear drive section of an SDB/GBU-39.
“Part of the section is missing, showing a glimpse of the interior,” Ball tweeted.
Israel said it targeted a Hamas activist in the attack. In a statement on Tuesday, the Israeli military said: “This evening, the Israeli Air Force used precision munitions to target a terrorist from the military wing of Hamas who was involved in the brutal massacre on October 7, among other terrorist activities.” CNN asked the Israeli military about the use of US munitions in the attack on Khan Younis.
CNN has discovered remnants of GBU-39 small bombs in two other Israeli attacks in recent months.
The GBU-39, manufactured by Boeing, is a high-precision munition that is “designed to attack strategically important point targets” and cause only minimal collateral damage, explosives expert Chris Cobb-Smith told CNN after the first attack on the Rafah tent camp on May 26.
“The use of any munition, even of this size, always carries risks in densely populated areas,” said Cobb-Smith, who is also a former artillery officer in the British Army.
