A missile launched by Iran at Israel on June 19 has triggered serious concern after Israeli authorities confirmed the weapon contained a cluster bomb, a controversial type of ammunition known for endangering civilians.

According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), this was the first confirmed use of a cluster bomb in the ongoing conflict between the two nations.

What are cluster bombs?

Unlike a regular missile that explodes in one spot, a cluster bomb is built to open mid-air and release multiple smaller bombs, known as submunitions, over a wide area.

In the June 19 attack, the Israeli military said the missile’s warhead exploded about seven kilometers above the ground, scattering roughly 20 submunitions across a radius of eight kilometers in central Israel.

These smaller bombs don’t have engines or GPS systems; they simply drop and are meant to explode on impact. But not all of them do.

The big issue with cluster bombs is that many of their submunitions fail to explode immediately, turning into dangerous unexploded objects. These can later injure or kill civilians who unknowingly come across them.

“They are egregious weapons with their wide-area destruction, especially if used in a civilian populated area, and could add to the unexploded ordnance left over from conflicts,” said Daryl Kimball, Executive Director of the Arms Control Association.

The June 19 Attack

One of the mini bombs reportedly hit a residential building in Azor, a town in central Israel. The Times of Israel reported property damage, but no injuries or deaths have been confirmed so far.

Following the strike, Israel’s Home Front Command issued a safety alert on X (formerly Twitter), warning people to stay cautious:

“This morning, we experienced a missile strike capable of dispersing small munitions over a relatively wide area. It is possible that some of the munitions will remain on the ground and not explode. Do not touch any fallen objects or suspicious objects. Immediately call 100.”

How are cluster bombs different from regular missiles?

While a traditional missile causes damage in a single explosion, a cluster bomb spreads destruction over a much larger area.

A senior Israeli military officer told The Times of Israel that even though each submunition is less powerful than a standard missile warhead, the wide impact zone makes it more dangerous in cities and civilian areas.

Are cluster bombs illegal?

Cluster bombs are banned by an international agreement called the 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions, which blocks countries from making, using, or selling them. 111 countries and 12 other entities have signed this treaty.

However, Iran, Israel, and the United States have not joined.

In 2023, the U.S. provided cluster bombs to Ukraine to support its defense against Russia, a move that drew global debate. Ukraine claims Russia is also using such weapons. Neither country has signed the treaty, like Iran and Israel.

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