‘Very difficult to stop’: BBC visits scene of Iran cluster bomb strike on Israel

Very difficult to stop

At midnight, an Iranian cluster bomb pierced the ceiling of a residence in central Israel, detonating in a small living room and claiming the lives of an elderly couple. The blast’s trajectory remains visible in the ash-streaked remnants of the apartment, where a gaping hole in the top-floor ceiling reveals the point of impact. Shattered concrete and metal fragments were forced inward, while shrapnel marks on the rear walls highlight the explosive force that obliterated the front of the home, exposing its interior to the street.

Survivor’s account

Sigal Amir, who resided adjacent to the site, recounted the attack from her safe room. “We heard three loud intercepts, but on the fourth, we realized it was our house,” she said. “A thunderous explosion followed, and I felt a sharp sting in my ear from the blast. The neighbors, just five meters away, lost their door and were buried under dust like snowfall.” She noted the couple was not in shelter at the time, as one had limited mobility.

“There’s no end to it, no direction, we can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel.” – Sigal Amir

Cluster bomb challenge

While Iran’s missile attacks have typically resulted in few Israeli casualties due to air defenses, cluster bombs complicate this pattern. These weapons spread over a wider area and are harder to neutralize, even after the missile carrying them is destroyed. As the conflict continues, Iran has increasingly relied on cluster munitions, according to Israeli military spokesman Lt Col Nadav Shoshani. “The rocket that struck our location came all the way from Iran in a massive missile, breaking into dozens of pieces,” he said. “We’ve seen dozens of such impact points across central Israel.”

War’s toll and endurance

Despite the persistent threat, Israel’s population has shown resilience. However, the frequent missile alerts—forcing shelters to be used night and day—have begun to erode patience. The war, now entering its 19th day, has caused relatively few direct casualties, with 14 deaths recorded so far. Four of these occurred in a single strike in Bet Shemesh early in the conflict. Yet, the use of cluster bombs has raised concerns about sustained losses.

The joint US-Israel operation has targeted Iran’s military infrastructure, oil facilities, and other strategic assets. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (Hrana) reported on Tuesday that at least 1354 civilians and 1138 military personnel have been killed since the war began. Israel claims to have dismantled over 70% of Iran’s ballistic missile launchers, suggesting a decline in Iranian attacks.

Asymmetric conflict

Iran’s strategy extends beyond military confrontation, aiming to pressure the US through concerns over oil prices, civilian casualties, and the safety of Gulf allies. This has led to speculation that Iran may force a pause in hostilities. Meanwhile, Israel’s timeline for the conflict appears longer than Washington’s, as it contends with a second front against Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed group on the northern border. Hezbollah joined the war following the assassination of Ayatollah Ali Khamanei, intensifying the regional struggle.

Lebanese authorities report that over 900 civilians have been killed in Israeli operations, with hundreds of thousands displaced. This week, Israeli ground forces intensified their push in southern Lebanon after ordering mass evacuations. The US is reportedly seeking a deal with the Lebanese government to stabilize the situation.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu framed the war as the climax of a long-standing effort to confront regional adversaries. He emphasized his nation’s military dominance, asserting that the conflict has reshaped the Middle East and solidified Israel’s status as a regional power. Yet, as the war drags on, questions linger about its duration and ultimate resolution.