A sponge grenade is a
riot control weapon, intended to be
non-lethal, which is fired from a
40 mm grenade launcher to cause confusion, or otherwise temporarily disable its target. As a single blunt force object, it is best used when aimed at a particular individual.
The projectile weighs about 28 grams (0.99 ounces). It is bullet-shaped, with a foam rubber nose and a high-density, plastic projectile body.
Potential for injury or death
Proper use of the weapons involves firing it from a medium distance, and aiming for the legs or lower torso.[1] Firing it too close, or firing it too far away which decreases the ability to accurately aim for the legs or lower torso, can cause serious injury.[1]
Improper use of sponge grenades can cause broken bones, head wounds, or permanent damage to eyes.[2] Sponge grenades impacting the upper body or head might have killed targeted individuals.[2][3]
Use around the world
Israel
Israel has deployed sponge grenades against Palestinian protesters on several occasions,[2] but the grenades were also used against Israeli demonstrators as well, for example, in
Israeli Ethiopians protests.[4]
Sponge grenades were used by some police departments during the
George Floyd protests in the summer of 2020 and were cited as being one of the most common types of less-lethal rounds employed.[7] In some cases, protesters were hit in the head or face with the rounds, causing serious injury.[8][9] Police shot journalist
Linda Tirado in the face with a sponge grenade, permanently blinding her in one eye; [10] she entered
hospice care four years later due to the
traumatic brain injury.[11]