Iran's Use of Cluster Munitions Against Israel: A Humanitarian Crisis

Since February 28, 2026, the Iranian government has employed cluster munitions in missile attacks against Israel, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict. Human Rights Watch (HRW) has confirmed multiple incidents involving these inherently indiscriminate weapons, which have resulted in civilian casualties and widespread condemnation from international organizations.

Human Rights WatchJURISTUsNews and World Report‘War crime’: Iran’s aviation condemns US-Israeli attack on civilian plane carrying medicinesRadio Free Europe / Radio Liberty

HRW documented three confirmed attacks using cluster munitions that impacted civilian areas in Israel. The first incident occurred on March 1, resulting in the deaths of nine individuals, including three children, in Beit Shemesh. Subsequent attacks on March 9 and March 18 led to additional civilian casualties, including two construction workers in Yehud and an elderly couple in Ramat Gan. The use of cluster munitions, which disperse explosive submunitions over a wide area, violates international humanitarian law due to their indiscriminate nature.

Human Rights Watch

HRW analyzed numerous videos and photographs from social media, corroborating the use of cluster munitions in these attacks. The organization reviewed 50 videos and confirmed the presence of submunitions in civilian areas, with impacts observed in densely populated regions such as Tel Aviv. Eyewitness accounts further support these findings, with reports of explosions causing injuries and fatalities among civilians.

Human Rights Watch

Amnesty International has called for an independent investigation into Iran's use of cluster munitions, categorizing the attacks as potential war crimes. The organization highlighted the lack of legitimate military targets in the vicinity of the strikes, emphasizing that the weapons used were grossly inaccurate and unsuitable for densely populated areas. Erika Guevara-Rosas, Amnesty's Senior Director of Research, stated, “The Iranian authorities’ use of a ballistic missile in this attack renders it indiscriminate and therefore a violation of international humanitarian law.”

Amnesty International calls for an investigation into the Iranian bombing of Beit Shemesh as a “war crime”

Critics argue that Iran's deployment of cluster munitions demonstrates a blatant disregard for civilian safety and international law. Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have both condemned these actions, asserting that the Iranian government should cease the use of such weapons immediately. The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant civilian casualties, with reports indicating over 1,900 deaths in Iran and at least 16 in Israel since the escalation began.

Human Rights Watch

While HRW and Amnesty International have documented the use of cluster munitions by Iran, the exact number of incidents and casualties remains disputed. The Iranian Red Crescent reported 1,900 deaths in Iran, while Amnesty International noted at least 1,116 fatalities in Lebanon and additional casualties in Israel. The discrepancies highlight the challenges in obtaining accurate information amid the ongoing conflict.

The use of cluster munitions by Iran in its attacks on Israel has raised serious humanitarian concerns and calls for accountability. As international organizations push for investigations into these actions, the conflict continues to escalate, further endangering civilian lives in the region. The situation underscores the urgent need for adherence to international humanitarian law and the protection of civilians in armed conflict.

The Hub