Israel has accused Iran of using cluster bombs during the ongoing conflict between the two countries, raising fresh concerns about the potential risks such weapons pose to civilian populations. According to the Israel Defence Forces, the weapons have been launched multiple times since the conflict began. Israeli officials said the use of such munitions in or near populated areas could amount to a violation of international humanitarian law, particularly if civilians are targeted or placed at risk.

Military spokesperson Nadav Shoshani said the Israeli military was closely monitoring the situation and tracking incidents related to the alleged use of the weapons. He stated that repeated use of cluster munitions against civilian areas could be considered a war crime under international law. The accusations come amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran as hostilities continue to intensify across the region.

Cluster bombs are weapons designed to disperse numerous smaller explosives, commonly called submunitions or bomblets, over a wide area rather than producing a single large blast. Once released from a missile, rocket, or aircraft, the container opens in mid-air and scatters the bomblets across a broad zone. This design allows the weapon to strike multiple targets simultaneously, making it particularly effective against large concentrations of troops, vehicles, or infrastructure.

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However, the widespread dispersal of submunitions also increases the risk to civilians. Many bomblets may fail to detonate immediately, leaving unexploded ordnance scattered across the ground. These unexploded explosives can remain dangerous for years and may detonate later if disturbed, posing long-term threats to people living in affected areas long after hostilities have ended.

Due to these risks, the use of cluster munitions has been heavily criticised by humanitarian organisations. The Convention on Cluster Munitions, adopted in 2008, prohibits the use, production, transfer, and stockpiling of such weapons. The treaty also requires member states to destroy existing stockpiles and assist victims of cluster-munition attacks.

Despite the international ban, several major military powers have not joined the convention, meaning cluster munitions remain part of some countries’ arsenals. The latest accusations by Israel against Iran have therefore intensified global debate over the legality and humanitarian consequences of these weapons, particularly when conflicts take place near populated areas where civilians face the greatest risk.

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