In a major military operation on September 27, 2024, Israel launched a massive airstrike against Hezbollah, deploying F-15I fighter jets from its 69th Squadron over Beirut. The strike involved the release of approximately 80-85 bunker buster bombs, including the advanced GBU-72 and MK-84 series. These powerful bombs, designed to penetrate deep into the ground before exploding, created craters up to 30 feet deep and are capable of destroying underground bunkers located 30 to 60 feet below the surface.
The airstrike specifically targeted a building believed to house Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, resulting in significant destruction at the site, including a massive crater where the bomb struck. The use of these high-impact bunker busters has drawn widespread international concern, given their ability to cause large-scale devastation.
The GBU-72 bunker buster bomb, weighing 2,268 kilograms, is a precision-guided weapon designed to destroy fortified underground targets such as bunkers and tunnels. Unlike conventional bombs, it penetrates the ground upon impact before detonating, delivering a powerful explosion deep beneath the surface. These bombs are capable of breaching steel-reinforced concrete structures and disrupting underground facilities.
In this strike, Israel targeted Hezbollah’s underground weapon storage sites and launchpads, constructed beneath residential areas to avoid detection. The strategic use of GBU-72 bombs allowed Israel to penetrate deep into Hezbollah’s strongholds, delivering significant damage to the group’s infrastructure.
This military escalation marks a significant moment in the ongoing conflict, with the use of such advanced weaponry intensifying concerns about the broader implications of the conflict.