'Israel’s' use of banned thermal weapons in Gaza 'evaporated' thousands: Al Jazeera
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- 'Israel' reportedly deployed U.S.-made thermal and thermobaric bombs capable of exceeding 3,500 °C, leading to cases where victims’ bodies were almost entirely destroyed.
- Gaza Civil Defence reports thousands of Palestinians “evaporated”, leaving only blood traces or tiny remnants, complicating identification and burial.
An investigative report from Al Jazeera has revealed that 'Israel' employed powerful weapons in the Gaza Strip that have left nearly 2,842 Palestinians with no recoverable remains, with victims appearing to “evaporate” at strike sites, according to Gaza’s Civil Defence and medical experts.
The probe, published on 10 February 2026, examined forensic data from the devastated territory and identified the use of U.S.‑made thermal and thermobaric bombs capable of producing temperatures above 3,500 °C (6,332 °F), heat so intense that biological material can essentially disintegrate.
What the investigation found
Civil Defence teams in Gaza meticulously compared the known number of people inside homes with bodies recovered after strikes and reported hundreds of cases where family members disappeared entirely, leaving only blood spray or tiny remnants.
Experts interviewed for the investigation explained that the chemical composition of these munitions, including fuel‑air and high‑temperature explosive mixtures, can incinerate organic matter almost completely, an effect rarely seen in conventional warfare.
The report specifically linked this phenomenon to several bomb types widely used in the Gaza conflict, including MK‑84 “hammer” bombs, BLU‑109 bunker busters, and GBU‑39 guided munitions, all supplied or manufactured with U.S. components.
Continuing hostilities and broader context
The investigation comes amid ongoing 'Israeli' military operations in Gaza, where airstrikes have continued to cause casualties despite a fragile ceasefire and international concern. On Tuesday, authorities reported at least three Palestinians killed in renewed attacks in central Gaza, with additional strikes recorded elsewhere in the Strip.
Separately, 'Israel’s' cabinet approved measures expanding its powers in the occupied West Bank, drawing criticism from Palestinian officials and international observers who say such moves exacerbate tensions.
Reactions and legal questions
Human rights advocates cited in the investigation argue that the use of weapons that cannot meaningfully distinguish between combatants and civilians, especially in densely populated areas like Gaza, may violate international humanitarian law, which prohibits indiscriminate bombardment.
Al Jazeera’s reporting underscores the difficulty in documenting such effects with traditional forensic methods, prompting renewed debate among legal experts and rights groups about accountability and the classification of certain munitions.
Impact on civilians
Survivors and families of the missing have described a haunting reality where loved ones simply no longer exist after strikes, complicating burial rites and deepening trauma in a territory already facing severe humanitarian strain.
