Elbit Systems is directly connected to the war crimes and crimes against humanity being committed by Israel in the occupied Palestinian territories. As the producer of 85% of the Israeli military’s land and air-based equipment, Elbit Systems is connected to Israel’s ongoing illegal occupation of the Palestinian territories and the ongoing campaign against Gaza. This war has killed over 50,000 people, one third of whom were children, since October 7th 2023 (as of March 2025).

Elbit has multiple ongoing contracts with the Israeli Ministry of Defense for the supply of weapons to the Israeli Defense Forces, including recent contracts of US$144 million in 2020 and US$340 million in 2024 for ammunition, of US$60 million contract for artillery shells in 2023, and of US$40 million for drones in 2024. These weapons have been actively used in the crimes committed against the Palestinian people and contributed to a 29% increase in Elbit’s quarterly profits in September 2024 amidst the ongoing war in Gaza.

Elbit System weapons in ongoing war and targeting of civilians

Elbit is involved in the manufacture of F-16 fighter jets, described as “the workhorse of the Gaza bombing campaign” through its subsidiary, Cyclone. The company supplies the avionics and various fuel tank and door parts for the Lockheed Martin-produced jets and has been awarded a US$80 million contract from the Israel Ministry of Defense (IMOD) to install “Airborne Self-Protection Suite” on its F-16 fleet in January 2025. These fighter jets were used in attacks that led to the deaths of the 10,000 Gazans as of November 2023. Elbit Systems’ involvement in the production of F-35 fighter jets through the manufacture of the centre fuselage also ties the company to these jets’ bombing of a designated “safe zone” in Khan Younis which resulted in the death of 90 Palestinians in July 2024. Elbit Systems’ involvement in weapons production also includes collaborations with other weapons manufacturers such as Boeing for the equipment of JDAMs bombs, with lasers used in the unlawful attacks on civilian homes.

Further, Elbit is the parent company of IMI systems, the producer of M339 projectiles, which have been used in attacks that led to deaths and extensive injuries among civilians and children in Gaza. This includes an attack on the Al-Amour family’s house, and killing of 22 year old Duniana Al-Amour, which Amnesty International termed “apparently deliberate” and therefore evidence of possible war crimes.

A history of testing weapons in Gaza

Al Jazeera reports on a history of Elbit weapons being “tested on Palestinians,” and then promoted as “combat proven” to the international market, clearly demonstrating how Elbit profits from Israel’s campaigns against Gaza. The Iron Sting, a precision-guided mortar bomb used in 2023, and the Hermes 450 and 900 UAVs responsible for 37% of fatalities in Israel’s 2014 war, both secured contracts following their battle demonstrations.

Killing of Aid Workers and Journalists

Elbit Systems produces the Hermes 450 drones whose strikes killed seven World Central Kitchen aid workers in April 2024 through the successive targeting of three vehicles. Elbit’s M339 projectiles were also likely used in the strike which killed a journalist and injured six others in South Lebanon on October 13th 2023. This affiliation may connect Elbit with an attack which Amnesty has labelled as a war crime.

Cluster Munitions (illegal weaponry)

In November 2018, Elbit Systems completed the acquisition of the previously state-owned Israeli cluster munitions producer IMI Systems. Cluster munitions are prohibited by a 2008 Convention. In 2019 Elbit confirmed IMI would discontinue their manufacture.

Links with Adani and ‘Green Bonds’

Hermes 900 drones have been manufactured in partnership with Adani Defence, an Indian company associated with various human rights allegations. Adani’s green bonds have been funneled to finance its coal activities and various of its subsidiaries, potentially including its defence branch. As such, this joint venture might be indirectly tying banks, such as ING and Standard Chartered, which have underwritten Adani green bonds, with weapons financing.