Escalation in Middle East: Iran's Cluster Missile Strikes on Israel

Iran has escalated the ongoing Middle East conflict by launching at least one missile equipped with cluster bombs at Israel, according to statements from the Israeli military. This incident, marking the first reported use of such weaponry in the seven-day-old war, aims to increase civilian harm.

The Israeli military confirmed that the missile's warhead dispersed approximately 20 submunitions over a central radius, impacting areas including the town of Azor. Although there were no reported casualties, the use of cluster bombs has raised international concern due to their potential for wide-area destruction and lasting danger from unexploded ordnance.

The Israeli military has warned the public of these risks, accompanied by statements from Brigadier General Effie Defrin regarding the targeting of civilians. Despite the controversy, neither Iran nor Israel has signed the 2008 international ban on cluster munitions, joining a select group of countries including the U.S. and Russia in their rejection of the pact.

(With inputs from agencies.)