{"id":3726,"date":"2025-12-02T15:28:05","date_gmt":"2025-12-02T15:28:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nhrclb.org\/?p=3726"},"modified":"2025-12-02T15:39:13","modified_gmt":"2025-12-02T15:39:13","slug":"nhrc-cpt-raises-alarm-after-evidence-suggests-israel-used-widely-banned-cluster-munitions-in-lebanon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nhrclb.org\/en\/archives\/3726","title":{"rendered":"NHRC-CPT Raises Alarm After Evidence Suggests Israel Used Widely Banned Cluster Munitions in Lebanon"},"content":{"rendered":"

New photographic evidence published by The Guardian<\/em><\/a> suggests that Israel used internationally banned cluster munitions during its recent 13-month war in Lebanon, marking the first known deployment of such weapons by Israel in nearly twenty years. The National Human Rights Commission, including the Committee for the Prevention of Torture (NHRC-CPT), is deeply concerned about the humanitarian and legal implications of these findings, especially given Lebanon\u2019s long and painful legacy with unexploded cluster submunitions.<\/p>\n

Images Verified by International Experts<\/strong><\/h3>\n

According to the report by journalist William Christou, photos of munition remnants found south of the Litani River in Wadi Zibqin, Wadi Barghouz, and Wadi Deir Siryan were examined by six independent arms experts. Their analysis indicates the presence of two advanced Israeli-made cluster munitions:<\/p>\n

155mm M999 Barak Eitan, produced in 2019<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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227mm Ra\u2019am Eitan guided missile, developed in 2017<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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These weapons are designed to disperse dozens of bomblets across vast areas, sometimes the size of several football fields. The deployment of these models would represent Israel\u2019s first known use of newly developed cluster munitions in Lebanon.<\/p>\n

A Weapon That Continues Killing for Decades<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Cluster munitions release hundreds of smaller submunitions that often fail to detonate on impact. Up to 40 percent<\/strong> of bomblets can remain active, posing long-term threats to civilians who encounter them years after hostilities end.<\/p>\n

This threat is not theoretical. Lebanon\u2019s experience with cluster munitions is deeply entrenched. During the final days of the 2006 war, Israel saturated southern Lebanon with approximately 4 million submunitions<\/strong>, of which an estimated 1 million failed to explode<\/strong>. Since then, more than 400 civilians<\/strong> have been killed by unexploded bomblets while farming, herding, or playing outdoors.<\/p>\n

This devastating legacy was a key factor behind the adoption of the Convention on Cluster Munitions<\/strong> in 2008, signed today by 124 states<\/strong>. Israel, however, is not a party to the treaty.<\/p>\n

Indiscriminate by Nature, Unlawful in Practice<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Humanitarian and weapons experts were unanimous about the inherent dangers of cluster munitions. Tamar Gabelnick, Director of the Cluster Munition Coalition, emphasized that these weapons \u201ccannot distinguish between military and civilian targets and kill and maim civilians for decades after use.\u201d<\/p>\n

Brian Castner of Amnesty International echoed these concerns, stating that there is \u201cno way to employ them lawfully or responsibly, and civilians bear the brunt of the risk as these weapons stay deadly for decades to come.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Industry claims that newer designs have lower failure rates have been repeatedly contradicted by field data. While the Ra\u2019am Eitan missile is marketed as having a dud rate as low as 0.01 percent, previous Israeli cluster munitions used in Lebanon were advertised as nearly fail-safe, yet real-world analysis found dud rates closer to 10 percent<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

A Troubling Double Standard<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Despite refusing to join the cluster munitions convention, Israeli officials condemned Iran\u2019s alleged use of similar weapons during a 12-day conflict earlier in 2025, criticizing Iran\u2019s attempt \u201cto maximise the scope of damage\u201d against civilians. NHRC-CPT notes that humanitarian principles cannot be selectively applied, and indiscriminate attacks remain unlawful regardless of the perpetrator.<\/p>\n

Lebanon\u2019s Southern Communities Bear the Consequences<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The recent remnants were found in forested valleys that Israel claims Hezbollah fighters had used for cover. However, these areas are also adjacent to agricultural communities, grazing lands, and rural villages that rely heavily on the land for survival.<\/p>\n

Even if the weapons were aimed at combatants, their wide-area effect makes any use in such environments inherently indiscriminate. Under customary international humanitarian law, parties must avoid weapons whose effects cannot be limited to military targets.<\/p>\n

NHRC-CPT Calls for Accountability and Protection<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Given the evidence presented by The Guardian<\/em> and the assessments of international munitions experts, NHRC-CPT underscores the urgent need for:<\/p>\n