“Field-tested”… Israel exploited the Gaza genocide to market its weapons and achieved record sales

Data reviewed by Al Jazeera shows that Israel achieved record arms sales in 2024, generating $15 billion in revenue.

The weapons were marketed as battle-proven, following their use in the Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip, which began on October 8, 2023, and lasted for two years, resulting in the deaths of over 71,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children.

Most of the exports consisted of missiles, rockets, and air defense systems, according to a statement issued by the Israeli government last June.

More than half of these shipments went to European militaries, while others were destined for countries in the Asia-Pacific region, primarily India.

Israel is one of the world’s top 10 arms exporters.

Last year’s revenue increase came at a time when Israel faces accusations of genocide.

Indeed, the International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on charges of war crimes.

Regarding the exploitation of genocide for arms sales, Anthony Lowenstein, author of “Palestine Lab: How Israel Exports the Technology of Occupation to the World,” spoke to Al Jazeera. Lowenstein said that Israel sells the idea of ​​impunity, adding, “There is a great deal of appeal to this for many other countries.”

For his part, Shir Hever, an expert on the Israeli arms trade, said that countries that import Israeli weapons are aware that their actions are “illegal.”