Israel’s Cluster Munitions Used in Lebanon, Photos Reveal

A new Guardian investigation indicates that Israel may have deployed widely condemned cluster munitions during its 13-month war with Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. Photographs of munition fragments found in three forested valleys—south of the Litani River—were analyzed by six independent arms experts, who identified remnants of two distinct Israeli weapons: the 155 mm M999 Barak Eitan and the 227 mm Ra’am Eitan guided missile. 

These munitions are designed to scatter many smaller bomblets over a broad area, posing a serious long-term threat when some fail to explode.

Although Israel is not a signatory to the 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions, these weapons remain controversial due to their indiscriminate impact. 

If confirmed, this would mark the first verified use of cluster bombs by Israel since the 2006 Lebanon war, when up to a million unexploded submunitions remained in southern Lebanon. Israel has neither confirmed nor denied the recent use, but has maintained it uses only “lawful weapons” and takes steps to mitigate civilian harm. Human rights groups warn that even “improved” versions of cluster munitions still carry high humanitarian risks, especially for civilians in contaminated areas. 

Key Takeaways:

Photographic evidence and expert analysis suggest Israel used two types of cluster munitions—M999 Barak Eitan and Ra’am Eitan—in southern Lebanon. 

Cluster munitions scatter dangerous submunitions (“bomblets”) that may fail to detonate, posing long-term risks to civilians. 

This would be Israel’s first confirmed use of such weapons in nearly 20 years, reigniting concerns over violations of international humanitarian norms. 

Adapted From 

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/nov/19/israel-used-widely-banned-cluster-munitions-in-lebanon-photos-of-remnants-suggest