U.S. demands Lebanon return unexploded bomb from Israeli airstrike

Its advanced technology is vulnerable to reverse-engineering by hostile actors.

By Batya Jerenberg, World Israel News

The U.S. is demanding that Lebanon return an unexploded bomb from the Israeli airstrike that killed Hezbollah’s chief of staff 12 days ago, fearing that its advanced technology could fall into hostile state or terrorist hands.

While seven bombs detonated as intended, the eighth – a GBU-39B – did not explode as expected and was found lying on a Beirut street after the attack on the apartment where Haytham Ali Tabatabai was meeting with associates.

Lebanese security and Hezbollah personnel reportedly removed the bomb immediately after it was discovered.

According to media reports, the Americans contacted Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati just hours later to insist that it be returned.

Despite being critically weakened by Israel, Hezbollah remains a powerful force within the Lebanese government and could transfer the bomb to its Iranian patrons, whose military industries are known for reverse-engineering Western weapons to produce their own copies.

The GBU-39B could also be sold or provided to China or Russia, which have similar capabilities.

The small-diameter bomb, which weighs only about 110 kg, has an extremely accurate guidance system, enabling it to hit within one meter of its target.

Although smaller than larger bunker-busting models, its advanced warhead can also penetrate concrete structures and reportedly cause substantial damage relative to its weight.

Israel has nicknamed the bomb “Sharp Hail.”

The GBU-39B is a glide bomb, meaning that it has no motor. It deploys wings after being released from an aircraft and can travel up to 110 kilometers to reach its target.

The lack of a motor makes it less expensive — about $40,000 apiece — and more difficult for defensive systems to detect.

Its light weight allows a single aircraft to carry four of them to strike multiple targets simultaneously, improving operational efficiency and reducing fuel use.

Boeing has manufactured roughly 20,000 of the bombs to date.

The Americans do not want their adversaries discovering the cutting-edge and classified technology used in the bomb’s proprietary components.

The Lebanese government has yet to respond publicly to the American demand.