‘Made in India’ bomb has been found in Gaza.
A “Made in India” label discovered on the remains of a bomb used by Israeli warplanes in a strike on a UN shelter in Gaza has raised significant concerns about the involvement of Indian-made military equipment in the conflict.
The incident has spotlighted India’s defense ties with Israel amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Destruction in Nuseirat:
A viral video has captured the aftermath of the attack, showing extensive destruction in Nuseirat.
The building, which served as a shelter for at least 6,000 displaced Palestinians, was targeted by Israeli airstrikes.
“Made in India”
Reads the label on the remains of a missile dropped by Israeli warplanes at a UN shelter in Nusseirat refugee camp last night. pic.twitter.com/NOFMXr64Tp
— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) June 6, 2024
The UNRWA’s Sardi school in the Nuseirat refugee camp was hit, leading to widespread condemnation and raising questions about the targeting of civilian infrastructure.
Indian Defense Exports to Israel:
The discovery of the Indian-made bomb has highlighted the role of Indian arms manufacturers in the conflict.
Reports indicate that Munitions India Ltd. (MIL), a state-owned defense company, has been exporting ammunition and explosives to Israel.
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Official records from May revealed that MIL, a public sector enterprise under the Ministry of Defense, received permission to export weapons to Israel.
In addition to MIL, Premier Explosives Ltd. (PEL), a private company based in Telangana, has been granted permission on two occasions to export explosives and associated accessories to Israel.
Collaboration Between Indian and Israeli Defense Companies:
The defense collaboration between India and Israel extends beyond government enterprises.
Adani Defense and Aerospace, part of Indian business tycoon Gautam Adani’s conglomerate, has partnered with Israel’s Elbit Systems.
This collaboration has resulted in the delivery of over 20 Hermes 900 UAVs to Israel for military purposes between 2019 and 2023.
Rising Arms Trade:
India has emerged as a major purchaser of Israeli arms, acquiring weaponry valued at $2.9 billion over the past decade.
This period aligns with the tenure of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party, which has seen an unprecedented strengthening of relations between New Delhi and Tel Aviv since Modi took office in 2014.
Implications and Reactions:
As a ‘Made in India’ bomb found in Gaza, the involvement of Indian-made military equipment in the Gaza conflict has sparked significant concerns about India’s role in human rights violations and potential war crimes.
The use of such weapons in attacks on civilian infrastructure, such as the UN shelter in Nuseirat, has drawn widespread criticism and calls for accountability.
