Iran strikes Israel with ballistic missile armed with cluster munitions for the first time
Illustrative photo: Iran attacked Israel with ballistic missiles (Getty Images)
Today, June 19, Iran used a ballistic missile with a cluster warhead in a strike on Israel. Such munitions are particularly dangerous for the civilian population, states the Home Front Command of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), according to The Times of Israel.
According to the IDF, Iran launched at least one ballistic missile armed with cluster munitions toward central Israel.
The missile's warhead separated during descent at an altitude of around 7 kilometers, scattering approximately 20 small submunitions over an area of about 8 kilometers. The cluster bombs landed randomly on the ground.
One of the submunitions struck a house in the small town of Azor, causing damage comparable to that of a small rocket.
Such a missile poses a threat to a much wider area than other types of Iranian ballistic missile warheads, although the explosion of each individual cluster bomb is significantly less powerful.
The IDF has warned civilians to stay away from any missile debris found on the ground, as it may be dangerous and could still explode.
Iran’s missile strikes on Israel
During its missile attacks on Israel, Iran targets not only military facilities but also civilian areas.
In particular, one of the Iranian missiles struck a residential building last week. As a result, a Ukrainian family was killed.
It was later reported that the father of one of the girls who died is serving on the front lines. The girl had come to Israel for leukemia treatment.
