News

MK-84 and BLU-109 Bombs in Gaza Reporting

Reporting from Al Jazeera, Anadolu, and Novara Media identified U.S.-made MK-84 and BLU-109 munitions, with GBU-39 also named in Anadolu's summary.

Published Feb 11, 2026Israel-Hamas War

Mk 84 Mod 4 2,000-pound unguided bomb BLU-109 penetrator warhead GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bomb I

Reported munition types

Al Jazeera's investigation into weapons used in Gaza was later summarized by Anadolu and Novara Media. Across those reports, the munitions explicitly named include the U.S.-made MK-84 bomb, the BLU-109 penetrator warhead, and the GBU-39 precision glide bomb.

This article limits itself to the weapon-system identification reported by those outlets. It does not treat the reported effects or legal characterizations as independent findings.

Sources: Al Jazeera investigation, Anadolu summary, Novara Media follow-up

Catalog context

The linked catalog entries provide technical background for the two central systems most closely associated with the reporting. The Mk 84 entry covers the 2,000-pound unguided bomb body, while the BLU-109 entry covers the hard-target penetrator warhead used in guided bomb assemblies.

The GBU-39 entry is included because Anadolu's summary also named that munition. Readers can use the linked pages to compare design class, guidance type, and role without relying on the news reports alone.

Sources: Mk 84 catalog entry, BLU-109 catalog entry, GBU-39 catalog entry, Anadolu summary

Related Weapon Systems

Mk 84 Mod 4 2,000-pound unguided bomb, 2,000-pound unguided general-purpose bomb, Munitions

MunitionsMk 84 Mod 4 2,000-pound unguided bomb2,000-pound unguided general-purpose bombThe Mk 84 Mod 4 is a U.S. 2,000-pound general-purpose bomb body in the Mark 80 family, used as a heavy unguided air-delivered strike weapon and as the basis for guided bomb kits. Researchers and conflict investigations have documented Mk 84-class bombs in recent air campaigns, including Israeli use in Gaza and Saudi-led coalition use during the Yemen Civil War.

BLU-109 penetrator warhead, 2,000-pound hard-target penetrator warhead, Munitions

MunitionsBLU-109 penetrator warhead2,000-pound hard-target penetrator warheadThe BLU-109 is a U.S.-origin 2,000-pound hard-target penetrator warhead built around a thick steel bomb body for defeating reinforced structures and buried targets. It is best known as the warhead used in guided bombs such as the GBU-24 Paveway III and GBU-31 JDAM, including coalition airpower inventories tied to the Yemeni Civil War.

GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bomb I, Guided glide bomb, Aircraft & UAVs

Aircraft & UAVsGBU-39/B Small Diameter Bomb IGuided glide bombThe GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bomb I is a U.S.-built 250-pound GPS/INS-guided glide bomb designed for standoff precision strikes and reduced collateral damage. During the Israel-Hamas War, Israeli forces were reported using the bomb in Gaza airstrikes, including the May 2024 Rafah strike.

Sources

Al Jazeera investigationPublisher: Al Jazeera | Note: Primary investigation naming MK-84 and BLU-109 munitions in Gaza reporting. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 Anadolu summaryPublisher: Anadolu Agency | Note: Summary of the Al Jazeera investigation that explicitly lists MK-84, BLU-109, and GBU-39. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 Novara Media follow-upPublisher: Novara Media | Note: Follow-up report discussing the same investigation and its munition references. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 Mk 84 catalog entryPublisher: WeaponsOfConflict catalog | Note: Catalog source for the Mk 84 Mod 4 2,000-pound unguided bomb entry. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 BLU-109 catalog entryPublisher: WeaponsOfConflict catalog | Note: Catalog source for the BLU-109 penetrator warhead entry. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 GBU-39 catalog entryPublisher: WeaponsOfConflict catalog | Note: Catalog source for the GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bomb I entry. | Accessed: 2026-06-23