A sponge bomb is a specialized device designed to seal the end of a tunnel. Small enough that it can be set by a single person, it is a non-explosive, chemical bomb that releases a burst of expanding foam that quickly hardens.[1][2]
Development
The sponge bomb was developed by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to address the Palestinian tunnel warfare in the Gaza Strip.[3][4]
Design
Housed in a plastic container, the bomb has a metal partition that separates two liquid reagents. Once the partition is removed, the liquids mix and react, causing them to rapidly expand and then solidify, creating a physical barrier blocking the tunnel. The device is either set at its target by an individual or thrown.[1]
In 2021, testing of sponge bombs was reportedly conducted by IDF in simulated tunnels.[5]
During initial testing of these bombs, the liquid emulsion was found to be hazardous to work with when mishandled – some Israeli soldiers lost their eyesight.[1]
Historical perspective
This is not the first time that sticky foam has been used by a military force. Reportedly, the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Army have used streams of foam as non-lethal tools for crowd control or restraint of hostile combatants.[4]
References
- 1 2 3 Nicholls, Dominic (Oct 30, 2023). "'Sponge bombs': Israel's new secret weapon for inside Hamas tunnels". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 2023-10-30. Retrieved Oct 30, 2023.
- ↑ Pradhan, Sucheta (Oct 28, 2023). "Sponge Bomb: IDF's New Way To Fight Subterranean Threats". Retrieved Oct 30, 2023.
- ↑ "Israel's Innovative Solution In War Against Hamas: 'Sponge Bombs' To Seal Off Gaps In Gaza Tunnels. Explained". menafn.com. Retrieved Oct 30, 2023.
- 1 2 Trevithick, Joseph (Oct 27, 2023). "Does Israel Really Have 'Sponge Bombs' For Sealing Tunnels?". The Drive. Retrieved Oct 30, 2023.
- ↑ "What Are Israel's New Secret Weapon "Sponge Bombs" And How They Work?". NDTV.com. Retrieved Oct 30, 2023.