A major European arms manufacturer, MBDA, has come under scrutiny following a joint journalistic investigation revealing that the company has supplied key parts for bombs allegedly used by Israel in Gaza, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of Palestinian civilians.
The report, compiled by The Guardian (UK), Follow the Money (Netherlands), and French non-profit Disclose, found that MBDA produced essential components for the GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb (SDB), a precision-guided glide bomb often deployed by the Israeli military in densely populated areas of Gaza.
This revelation has raised serious concerns about European complicity in the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza. France, Germany, and Italy are home to MBDA’s largest operations, and all three countries are signatories to the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty. The treaty bans arms exports if there is a substantial risk of violations of international humanitarian law.
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MBDA’s Link to Boeing and the GBU-39 Bomb
MBDA, headquartered near Paris, is partly owned by European aerospace giant Airbus. According to the investigation, the company has a contract with the American weapons manufacturer Boeing to supply the Diamond Back wing assembly. This is a crucial component that gives the GBU-39 bomb its extended range and glide capability.
The GBU-39, first developed by Boeing, is a key munition used by Israeli forces in their air campaign in Gaza. The bomb is designed to penetrate hardened targets with high precision, but its use in urban areas has resulted in massive civilian casualties. This is especially true during the ongoing conflict that began in October 2023.
Despite the clear risk to civilian life, there has been little to no public accountability or suspension of MBDA’s contracts. Critics argue that European governments are turning a blind eye to the use of their industries’ components in deadly bombing campaigns.
Humanitarian Catastrophe Unfolds in Gaza
While international attention turns toward weapons manufacturers, the situation on the ground in Gaza continues to deteriorate. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has sounded the alarm on the disproportionate suffering endured by vulnerable groups.
UNRWA reports that over 83 percent of people with disabilities in Gaza have lost essential assistive devices such as crutches, wheelchairs, or hearing aids. Meanwhile, 80 percent of elderly Palestinians urgently need access to critical medications. Children also remain among the hardest hit as food, clean water, and medical care vanish amid bombings and border blockades.
The relentless bombing campaign, compounded by the blockade of humanitarian aid, has left Gaza’s population in dire need. Hospitals are overwhelmed, disease is spreading, and most of the territory’s infrastructure has collapsed under sustained attacks.
Stampede at Gaza Aid Site Leaves 20 Dead
In a related development, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) announced the closure of its Khan Younis aid distribution site after a tragic stampede on Wednesday left at least 20 people dead. Fifteen of the victims were crushed or suffocated after tear gas was fired at the crowd.
According to eyewitnesses, chaos erupted when GHF guards locked the gates and sprayed pepper gas on the crowd, trapping aid seekers between the inner gates and the surrounding wire fence. While GHF denied using tear gas and blamed Hamas-affiliated individuals for inciting unrest, Palestinian health authorities and survivors presented a different version of events.
Since beginning operations in May, the GHF has faced growing criticism for its handling of aid distribution. The United Nations has described the group’s sites as “death traps,” citing more than 870 deaths near or within its distribution hubs.
As Gaza faces a worsening humanitarian crisis, the revelation that a European missile group is supplying parts for bombs used in Israeli airstrikes further complicates calls for accountability. The investigation into MBDA’s role highlights a troubling gap between international legal commitments and actual arms trade practices. Meanwhile, civilians in Gaza, including the disabled, elderly, and children, continue to pay the price.
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