A video appeared on social networks showing that the Israeli army has thermobaric mines, an almost unknown weapon.

The footage, which appears to show a weapons demonstration, shows an Israeli Puma armored personnel carrier launching a thermobaric mine.

This vehicle typically uses a system of 20 rockets for field demining operations. Its chassis is inspired by the British Centurion tank, the British government in 2003 launched an investigation into whether its use in the West Bank violated the provisions of export licenses granted to Israel.

However, the results of the investigation were rather inconclusive, as Britain accepted assurances from the Israeli government that no British components were used in military equipment stationed in the West Bank.

Regarding the thermobaric mine, which can be seen in the video that appeared on social networks, there is almost no information about this type of weapon.

However, the footage appears to be part of a larger report broadcast by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The launch of the mine can be seen at 00:28 of the video:

How thermobaric weapons work

Thermobaric weapons have attracted international attention after Russia used them in the war in Ukraine.

Also known as pressure bombs or fuel-air explosives, this is a type of munition that operates in two stages. In the first, aerosols of very fine material are dispersed – from carbon explosives to metal particles.

In the second stage, this cloud of scattered particles ignites, creating a “fireball”, a huge shock wave and a vacuum that can suck all the oxygen out of the surrounding air, which is why they are also known as “vacuum bombs”. The shock created by them can last much longer than that caused by conventional explosives and can burn a person’s body.

They are more powerful than conventional high-explosive munitions of comparable size, are more likely to kill and injure people in bunkers, shelters, and kill and injure particularly violently over a large area.

They were probably developed by the Israeli arms industry for use in the vast network of tunnels built by Hamas under the Gaza Strip.

Follow the latest developments in the war between Israel and Hamas LIVETEXT on HOTNEWS.RO.