U.S. pauses arms shipments to Israel

The U.S. has paused the shipment of thousands of weapons to Israel, including controversial 900kg bombs, amid concern about the country’s plan to expand a military operation in southern Gaza

MARK 84 BOMB (Mk 84) 

Explosive fill 
Steel casing
Tail attachment 
Tail fuze
Fuze conduit
Nose fuze

Weight: 907kg (2,000lb) 
GPS/INS
3.88m
Explosive: 429kg
Suspension lugs
Strakes

IMPROVED ACCURACY
Fitted with GPS/INS kit, Mk 84 becomes “smart bomb” or so-called Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM). Mk 84 bombs are then called GBU-31

Movable control fins
Football pitch

Mk 84 body

CIRCULAR ERROR PROBABLE*
5 metres: When GPS data is available
30 metres: With no GPS

Pressure from explosion can rupture lungs, burst sinus cavities and tear off limbs hundreds of metres from blast site, UN says

*Defined as radius of circle affected by 50% of projectiles

Sources: Reuters, Federation of American Scientist, USAF Picture: Boeing © GRAPHIC NEWS