The Israeli military’s use of new weaponry in its conflicts with Palestine has been linked to a surge in global demand for these arms, according to analysts. The latest conflict in Gaza has seen the deployment of the Iron Sting, a precision-guided 120mm mortar bomb, produced by Elbit Systems. Despite claims of precision and reduced collateral damage, the conflict has resulted in the death of over 11,400 Palestinian civilians and injury to 30,000 more.

Ahmed Saeed al-Najar, a taxi driver, was a victim of an Israeli Spike drone rocket, which can be modified to carry a fragmentation sleeve of thousands of 3mm tungsten cubes. The cubes can puncture metal and cause severe damage to human tissue. The Heron TP “Eitan” drone, Israel’s largest unmanned aerial vehicle, can carry four Spike missiles and has been used in previous conflicts, resulting in a surge in orders from other countries.

However, the full extent of Israel’s defense industry sales remains unclear due to a lack of transparency in the sales process. Israel has not ratified the Arms Trade Treaty, which prohibits the sale of weapons at risk of being used in genocide and crimes against humanity. As such, its weapons exports have influenced the course of history for several nations, many led by controversial regimes.

The Israeli military has not commented on the use of new weapons in the current conflict. However, the use of the Iron Sting and the reported use of the new Spark drone suggest that Israel is once again testing new weapons in conflict.

Read more at Al Jazeera.