In a significant escalation of hostilities, the Israeli military on Thursday accused Iran of using cluster munitions in an attack aimed at causing widespread civilian harm. This marks the first reported use of cluster bombs in the ongoing seven-day war between the two countries.
According to Israeli defense officials, at least one missile launched by Iran broke apart mid-air, scattering around 20 submunitions over a five-mile radius in central Israel. The missile’s warhead reportedly split open at an altitude of approximately 7 kilometers (4 miles).
Here’s a video on how a cluster bomb functions
As demonstrated in this brief video of the BL-755 Cluster Bomb, they can cover a lot of ground. Ideal for targets in the open. This was replaced by Brimstone, but should they return to service, or should we just buy more Brimstone? pic.twitter.com/uEf8B6d3Ue
— Think Defence (@thinkdefence) December 27, 2024
One of the submunitions is said to have struck a residence in the town of Azor, causing structural damage. No casualties have been reported so far.
Israeli Military Condemns Use of Controversial Cluster Bombs
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson Brigadier General Effie Defrin issued a strong statement condemning the tactic: “The terror regime seeks to harm civilians and even used weapons with wide dispersal in order to maximize the scope of the damage.”
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The IDF also released a public graphic warning civilians about the risk of unexploded ordnance in the affected areas.
Cluster munitions are highly controversial due to their indiscriminate impact. Their scattered bomblets can often remain unexploded for years, posing a danger to civilians long after fighting ends.
Military affairs journalist Emanuel Fabian from Times of Israel reported the missile’s impact on a residential home in Azor, confirming no injuries but visible property damage.
Global Ban Not Signed by Iran or Israel
Neither Iran nor Israel is a signatory to the 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions, which bans the production, stockpiling, and use of such weapons. The treaty has been signed by 111 countries and 12 other entities.
Daryl Kimball, Executive Director of the Arms Control Association, criticized the use of such weapons: “They are egregious weapons with their wide-area destruction, especially if used in a civilian populated area… Tehran should know that cluster munitions are going to hit civilian targets rather than military targets.”
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Both Iran’s mission to the United Nations and Israel’s embassy in Washington have not issued official statements in response to the allegations.
This development follows a broader pattern of escalating military engagement in the region, including open threats and intensified rhetoric from Hezbollah, which pledged “all forms of support” to Iran in its conflict with Israel.
