Iran Fires Cluster Missiles at Israeli Cities, Unexploded Ordnance Endanger

Iran launched approximately 20 missiles at Israel Thursday morning, including at least one equipped with cluster munitions that scattered dangerous unexploded ordnance across civilian areas, Israeli authorities confirmed.

The cluster missile carried multiple 2.5-kilogram submunitions that separated at 7 kilometers altitude and spread over an 8-kilometer radius around Azor. The Home Front Command confirmed that several bomblets failed to detonate upon ground impact, creating ongoing danger for civilians in the area.

Four direct hits were recorded across Israeli population centers: Holon, Ramat Gan, Soroka Hospital, and Azor. The strike on Soroka Hospital has already forced emergency medical protocols, with the Health Ministry ordering new mothers to be discharged within 12 hours instead of the standard 36-48 hours due to the facility's compromised status.

Bomb disposal teams are working to neutralize unexploded cluster munitions scattered throughout Azor. The Home Front Command has warned civilians to avoid approaching any suspicious objects and to immediately contact bomb disposal units.

Despite the morning attack, Israeli authorities are maintaining current defensive guidelines, citing adequate warning systems. Schools remain closed, but workers in facilities with protected spaces can continue operations with sufficient time to seek shelter during alerts.

The Home Front Command said it is balancing security concerns with economic needs, seeking to gradually restore normal activity while maintaining necessary precautions. Meanwhile, the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange posted gains for the fourth consecutive day as Iranian markets remain shuttered.

Cluster bombs are widely seen as unacceptable due to their indiscriminate and long-lasting effects, which violate humanitarian principles and international law.

Here’s a concise breakdown of why they face global condemnation:

Indiscriminate Harm: Cluster bombs release multiple smaller submunitions over a wide area, often failing to distinguish between military targets and civilians. This scattershot nature makes them prone to causing civilian casualties, especially in populated areas, violating the principle of distinction in international humanitarian law.

Unexploded Ordnance (UXO): Many submunitions fail to detonate on impact, leaving behind hazardous remnants. These UXOs can remain active for years, posing a deadly risk to civilians, particularly children who may mistake them for toys. For example, in Lebanon after the 2006 war, Human Rights Watch reported thousands of unexploded submunitions causing ongoing deaths and injuries.

Long-Term Impact: UXOs contaminate agricultural land and infrastructure, hindering post-conflict recovery. In Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos, decades after conflicts, cluster bomb remnants continue to kill and maim, with the UN estimating millions of unexploded submunitions still present.

International Legal Framework: The 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM), ratified by over 120 countries, bans their use, production, transfer, and stockpiling. The CCM reflects a global consensus that their humanitarian cost outweighs military utility. Non-signatories like the US, Russia, and Israel face criticism for continued use, as seen in recent allegations against Israel in Lebanon (2024-2025) and Ukraine by Russia.

Moral and Ethical Outrage: The disproportionate suffering caused by cluster bombs, especially to vulnerable populations, fuels global condemnation. Reports from groups like Amnesty International highlight their use as a moral failing, with visuals of civilian injuries amplifying public revulsion.