EU companies partnering with Boeing mint profit from Palestinians’ blood by arming Israel

When war experts warned of a potential genocide in Gaza by Israel in a conflict that many describe not as a war but as a unilateral military offensive aimed at the ethnic cleansing of Palestinian citizens in the region, a joint investigation by The Guardian and its partners revealed that European and US-based companies are minting profits from the blood of Palestinian civilians, including children and women, by equipping Israel with weapons and arms.

At the heart of this supply chain is MBDA, Europe’s largest missile maker, which manufactures key components for the GBU-39 bomb munitions that have been repeatedly deployed in Israeli strikes, resulting in mass civilian casualties.

The GBU-39, manufactured by Boeing, is equipped with “Diamond Back” wings that enable precise targeting and extended range, and these wings are produced by MBDA’s US subsidiary in Alabama. Once launched from fighter jets, the wings unfold mid-air, guiding the bomb to its target.

Despite MBDA’s headquarters being in France and its UK arm consolidating the revenues of its American subsidiary, MBDA Inc. remains legally detached from UK arms export restrictions, allowing it to continue supplying Boeing uninterrupted.

Financial records show MBDA distributed nearly £350 million in dividends last year to its three shareholders—BAE Systems of the UK, Airbus of France, and Leonardo of Italy—raising questions about the ethical responsibilities of these major European firms amid a war where credible accusations of war crimes persist, according to The Guardian report.

MBDA UK, which consolidates profits from MBDA Inc., contributed over 40% of the group’s total revenues, and the wider MBDA business earned £4.2 billion in 2024, signalling the scale of commercial gain amid humanitarian tragedy.

Although the UK government suspended a set of weapons export licences to Israel in September 2024, citing concerns over the potential for serious violations of international humanitarian law, the action did not impact MBDA Inc., which operates under US law and is subject to American arms control policies.

The suspension excluded components used in F-35 fighter jets and did not extend to exports made by UK-based subsidiaries of foreign firms, which arms trade experts have described as a significant loophole.

Evidence compiled from open-source investigations and weapons analysts has verified 24 Israeli airstrikes involving the GBU-39 bomb that caused civilian deaths, with each incident resulting in the death of children. The strikes often targeted schools being used as shelters and tent camps housing displaced families, some occurring without warning during the night.

In one of the most devastating incidents on 26 May 2024, an airstrike on a school in Gaza City killed 36 people, half of them children, and injured many others. Another strike the same night set fire to a tent camp in Rafah, killing 45 and injuring over 200.

While Israel maintains it only targets military sites, often accusing Hamas of using civilian areas to shield operations, the United Nations and human rights groups have flagged several of the attacks as potential war crimes. Amnesty International has accused Israel of failing to distinguish between military and civilian targets, particularly in cases where schools and mosques were struck without warning.

The GBU-39 is provided to Israel through the US military aid programme, which includes direct purchases from Boeing and transfers from US military stockpiles. Since the Hamas attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, more than 4,800 of these bombs have been shipped, with the most recent consignment of over 2,000 arriving in February 2025.