A recent investigation has put a Polish state-owned company, Nitro-Chem, under international scrutiny for allegedly supplying explosives used in Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza. According to a report released on 18 November 2025 by a coalition of pro-Palestinian organizations, the company provided trinitrotoluene (TNT) that was used in some of the most destructive bombs deployed in the region.

Nitro-Chem: A Key Supplier in the Gaza Conflict

The report identifies Nitro-Chem, a leading Polish explosives manufacturer, as a crucial supplier of TNT to US arms companies that produce Mk 80 series bombs and BLU-109 penetrator bombs. These bombs have been widely deployed by Israel during the conflict in Gaza, particularly following the escalation of violence in October 2023.

Poland is currently the largest TNT producer in the European Union and the only major NATO member with such production capacity. This makes Nitro-Chem a significant player in the international arms trade, particularly for explosives imported by the United States, which lacks domestic TNT production. According to the report, about 90% of TNT imported by the US comes from Poland.

Allegations of Complicity in War Crimes

Civil society groups, including the Palestinian Youth Movement, the People’s Embargo for Palestine, and the Movement Research Unit, claim that Nitro-Chem and the Polish government are indirectly facilitating Israel’s targeting of civilian infrastructure in Gaza.

Air-dropped bombs, such as the Mk 80 series, are often filled with TNT mixed with aluminum powder to increase explosive force. Evidence indicates that these weapons were used in the bombing of Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, which resulted in massive civilian casualties. International experts have described such attacks as potentially constituting war crimes under international law.

Nadya Tannous, a spokesperson for the Palestinian Youth Movement, stated, “This report decisively implicates Nitro-Chem and the Polish government as a critical link in the supply chain fueling genocide in Gaza.”

Eyewitness Accounts of the Devastation

Eyewitness accounts from Gaza paint a harrowing picture. One survivor, identified only as Mahmoud, described how a sudden Israeli airstrike destroyed his home, killing 13 family members, including seven children. Footage collected from the scene showed shrapnel consistent with Mk 80 bombs, linking the explosives directly to weapons supplied by Nitro-Chem through US intermediaries.

“These bombs are used mainly against residential areas, tents, and civilian infrastructure,” Mahmoud said. “They are indiscriminate, destroying everything around them. The trauma of that day continues to haunt my family.”

The Role of US and Israeli Military Contracts

General Dynamics, a major US defense contractor, has sourced TNT from Nitro-Chem since at least 2016 for the production of Mk 80 series bombs. Some of these explosives were converted into guided munitions, including Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs), which were reportedly used in strikes on civilian homes in Gaza.

Despite warnings from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and calls from UN experts to prevent genocidal acts, Nitro-Chem has continued supplying TNT to the US and Israel. A contract signed in April 2025 is valued at $310 million, for the delivery of 18,000 tonnes of TNT between 2027 and 2029.

Environmental and Humanitarian Consequences

The production of TNT has serious environmental consequences. In Poland, Nitro-Chem’s operations have contributed to pollution in the Vistula River, and there have been allegations of illegal toxic waste dumping. In Gaza, repeated bombings have caused massive environmental damage, destroying soil, vegetation, and water resources. According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), approximately 80% of Gaza’s 250,000 buildings have been damaged or destroyed, creating 61 million tonnes of debris.

Calls for Accountability

Advocates urge the Polish government to reconsider its role in supplying explosives to Israel. Nadya Tannous emphasized, “We call on Poland to end its shipment of Nitro-Chem TNT to Israel and to take responsibility for its complicity in the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.”

Conclusion

The Nitro-Chem investigation highlights the complex web of international arms trade, where the supply of explosives in Europe can have devastating consequences thousands of miles away in Gaza. With mounting evidence of civilian targeting and destruction, the world is watching the role of states and corporations in conflicts that raise serious ethical, legal, and humanitarian concerns.