Palestinians 'Evaporated': What Are Thermobaric Bombs Israel Is Accused Of Using?

Last Updated:February 13, 2026, 23:50 IST

Thermobaric weapons- also called fuel-air explosives or "vacuum bombs"- represent a category of conventional munitions that kill through intense heat.

Nearly 3,000 Palestinians reportedly vanished from Gaza as their bodies were allegedly vaporised by extreme-heat weapons that left behind only blood spray and fragments of scalp. An Al Jazeera report claimed that at least 2,842 Palestinians have gone missing since October 2023, with Gaza’s Civil Defence alleging their disappearances are linked to high-temperature munitions, including thermobaric weapons that generate heat exceeding 3,000 degrees Celsius- hot enough to turn human tissue to ash.

Israel has not responded to the report but Tel Aviv has consistently rejected accusations of genocide and war crimes, maintaining that its military operations target Hamas militants and infrastructure following the group’s October 7, 2023 attacks that killed approximately 1,200 Israelis.

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What Is A Thermobaric Weapon?

Thermobaric weapons- also called fuel-air explosives or “vacuum bombs"- represent a category of conventional munitions that kill through intense heat and prolonged pressure waves rather than traditional blast fragmentation. The weapons operate through a two-stage process. An initial charge disperses a cloud of flammable aerosol fuel, which then mixes with atmospheric oxygen in the surrounding air. A secondary ignition creates a massive fireball and pressure wave, with temperatures reportedly reaching up to 3,500°C (6,332°F).

The term combines “thermo" (heat) and “baric" (pressure), reflecting their dual destructive mechanism. Unlike conventional explosives that contain both fuel and oxidiser in a single package, thermobaric weapons leverage ambient oxygen, significantly amplifying the explosion.

Why Are Thermobaric Weapons Particularly Deadly In Urban Areas?

The prolonged blast wave from thermobaric weapons can penetrate enclosed spaces- flowing into buildings, tunnels and underground shelters where conventional explosives might not reach. In densely populated urban environments like Gaza, this characteristic raises particular humanitarian concerns.

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Which Weapons Were Identified In The Investigation?

The Al Jazeera report cited specific US-manufactured munitions allegedly used in Gaza. The MK-84 is a 2,000-pound unguided bomb using tritonal- a mixture of TNT and aluminium powder- capable of generating extremely high temperatures. The BLU-109 bunker buster is designed to penetrate structures before detonating, creating a large internal fireball. The GBU-39 precision glide bomb is engineered to maintain external structural integrity while causing internal destruction through pressure and thermal effects.

Are Thermobaric Weapons Legal?

Thermobaric weapons are not explicitly prohibited under international law. However, their use falls under international humanitarian law principles, including the principle of distinction, which requires combatants to distinguish between military targets and civilians, and the principle of proportionality, which states that anticipated civilian harm must not be excessive relative to military advantage.

News world Palestinians 'Evaporated': What Are Thermobaric Bombs Israel Is Accused Of Using?

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