The Israeli military stated on the 19th that Iran fired at least one missile at Israel, which scattered small bombs after detonation, aiming to increase civilian casualties. This marks the first reported use of cluster munitions in the Israel-Iran war after seven days of conflict.
Reuters reported that Israeli military officials did not provide further details.
Israeli media cited military reports that the missile's warhead detonated at an altitude of about 7 kilometers, releasing approximately 20 small bombs that struck an area with an 8-kilometer radius in central Israel.
One of the small bombs hit a house in the central Israeli town of Azor, causing some damage.
Cluster munitions are highly controversial because they scatter submunitions, some of which may fail to detonate, posing risks of injury or death long after the conflict has ended.
In a briefing, Israeli military spokesperson Develin stated: “Iran is attempting to harm civilians by even using weapons with a wide-ranging impact to maximize the scope of destruction.”
● Israel and Iran Reject Joining the Convention on Cluster Munitions
Iran and Israel have refused to join a 2008 international ban on the production, storage, transfer, and use of cluster munitions. The ban has been signed by 111 countries and 12 other entities.
In 2023, the United States provided cluster munitions to Ukraine for use against Russian forces. Kyiv claims that Russian troops have also fired these munitions. These three countries have declined to join the Convention on Cluster Munitions.
● Iran Denies Attacking Israeli Hospital
According to Iran's Islamic Republic News Agency on the 19th, Iran denied earlier reports on the same day claiming that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard had attacked Soroka Medical Center in southern Israel. They stated that the target of the strike was an Israeli military intelligence center adjacent to the hospital, with the hospital being affected by the explosion's shockwave.
The Israeli Ministry of Health stated that the hospital was hit by a missile strike, injuring 71 people, most of whom were lightly injured or suffered panic attacks while seeking shelter. Hospital staff urgently evacuated patients and sealed off the damaged areas.
The Israeli Ministry of Health also announced that patients in the affected buildings had been moved to an underground facility several hours before the attack.
● Iran Accuses Israel of Creating a “Victim” Narrative
According to Iran's Fars News Agency on the 19th, Iran has launched highly destructive and precision-guided missile strikes against Israel starting on the 18th. Following military setbacks, Israel has shifted its media strategy, attempting to portray itself as a “victim” to prompt direct U.S. intervention in the war.
The reports claimed that the attacks have shocked global observers and forced Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to acknowledge severe casualties and significant damage. After suffering military defeats, Israeli media reportedly began showing images on the 19th of the damage to hospitals and residential areas caused by Iranian attacks, in an effort to garner global sympathy.