Amnesty International: Iran Used Prohibited Cluster Munitions in War Against Israel
Amnesty International reported on Iran’s use of prohibited cluster munitions in the war against Israel.
Amnesty International released a report on Thursday, July 24, 2024, in which it announced that based on new investigations and evidence obtained during the Iran-Israel war, Iranian forces fired ballistic missiles with warheads containing cluster munitions at populated areas of Israel.
Cluster munitions are a type of weapon that explodes in the air and disperses small bombs. Some of these bombs do not explode immediately and may cause casualties in the future, particularly among children. Iran and Israel are not signatories to the 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions. This convention prohibits the use, transfer, production, and stockpiling of this type of bomb.
Amnesty International stated: “We have analyzed images and videos showing cluster munitions, and according to media reports, these munitions landed on June 19 (June 29) in the urban area of Gosh Dan near Tel Aviv.”
According to the published reports, on June 30, the city of Beersheba and on July 1, Rishon LeZion south of Tel Aviv were targeted by projectiles that created multiple impact craters that match the cluster munition remnants seen in Gosh Dan.”
Amnesty International also emphasized: “International law prohibits the use of weapons that are inherently indiscriminate, and conducting indiscriminate attacks that result in civilian deaths or injuries constitutes a war crime.”
Erika Guevara Rosas, Amnesty International’s Senior Director, also stated on this matter: “By using such weapons inside or near populated areas, Iranian forces endangered civilian lives. The deliberate use of such weapons by Iranian forces, which are fundamentally indiscriminate and uncontrollable, is a clear violation of international humanitarian law. The intentional use by Iranian forces of such weapons that are inherently indiscriminate and uncontrollable is a flagrant violation of international humanitarian rights.”
Amnesty International also released a report on July 30, referring to Israel’s airstrike on Evin Prison, and announced that based on extensive investigations by the organization, Israel’s deliberate airstrike on Evin Prison was a serious violation of international humanitarian law, and this attack should be investigated as a war crime.
