IOF use Gaza as testing ground for new Bar rocket system

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: New websites
Today 15:41

The Israeli occupation military introduces the Bar rocket system in Gaza, raising concerns over war crimes and the use of the enclave for live weapons testing.

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Smoke rises to the sky following an Israeli bombardment in the Gaza Strip as seen from southern occupied Palestine, April 7, 2025 (AP)

The Israeli occupation military has announced the deployment of a new artillery weapon as part of its ongoing war against Palestinians in the blockaded Gaza Strip, the Middle East Monitor reported.

According to the announcement, the military’s 282nd Artillery Regiment has used the Bar rocket system, developed by Israeli defense firm Elbit Systems, during recent strikes in southern Gaza. The deployment comes amid the occupation's broader military offensive against the enclave.

Elbit is "Israel’s" largest military contractor, which specializes in producing a wide array of military equipment and advanced surveillance technologies used against people in the occupied Palestinian territories.

The Israeli military described the Bar rockets as equipped with a specialized guidance mechanism suited for complex combat environments.

The system is designed to strike targets within a very short response window. These advanced rockets are set to replace the older Rumach system, which was launched from the M270 multiple rocket launcher.

Gaza used as testing ground for Israeli weapons

Since October 2023, the Israeli occupation has increasingly treated Gaza as a live weapons testing ground.

Analysts note that advanced military technologies, including suicide drones, precision-guided firearms, and robotic ground units, have been deployed in the territory, not only causing widespread destruction but also serving to showcase the capabilities of Israeli-manufactured arms.

This strategy has boosted global interest in the so-called "battle-tested" weapons produced by the Israeli defense industry. However, it has also intensified international criticism.

Rights groups and legal experts warn that many of these weapons are being used in ways that may constitute grave breaches of international law, including war crimes, crimes against humanity, and acts of genocide.

The Israeli war on Gaza, ongoing since October 7, 2023, has so far killed more than 50,000 Palestinians, including more than 2,000 since "Israel" reneged on a ceasefire and resumed its aggression on the Palestinian enclave on March 18.