According to a Maariv report, Israeli Air Force pilots had surplus munitions after intercepting Iranian drones and missiles in the war against Iran. Rather than return with full loads, pilots asked to release the remaining bombs on Gaza. The control room approved. The command replied: “Do it.”
What began as a "local initiative" quickly became policy.
For 12 straight days, dozens of Israeli warplanes flew over Gaza after missions in Iran. They dropped hundreds of missiles on neighborhoods in northern Gaza and Khan Younis. The goal was to "support ground forces" and "maximize efficiency," according to IAF officers.
Israel's Air Force commander, Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar, praised the pilots. He ordered the practice be expanded to all squadrons. It became routine. No new forces were needed. The bombings intensified without extra deployments.
During the 12-day Israeli war on Iran from June 13 to 24, 2025, Israel killed more than 800 Palestinians in Gaza. On June 17 alone, at least 59 were killed near Khan Younis while trying to access food. The sharp rise in casualties came amid a near-total halt in humanitarian aid, enforced by Israel under claims of preventing Hamas from seizing supplies, claims repeatedly denied by the UN.
