IDF confirms Iran launched missile carrying fragmenting cluster warhead

The IDF’s Home Front Command confirms that Iran launched at least one ballistic missile carrying a cluster bomb warhead at central Israel today.

The missile’s warhead splits while descending, at an altitude of around 7 kilometers, spreading around 20 smaller munitions at a radius of around 8 kilometers. The munitions do not have their own propulsion, and simply fly away randomly to the ground.

One of the small munitions struck a home in the central town of Azor, causing some damage, equivalent to a small rocket.

An Israeli military official says such a missile poses a threat to a much wider area than Iran’s other ballistic missile warheads, but the explosion from each of the cluster bombs is far smaller.

The army warns the public not to approach any missile remains they may find on the ground, which are hazardous and may explode, and to alert authorities immediately if one is spotted.

There is no change to the Home Front Command’s guidelines for civilians when it comes to cluster bomb attacks.

Iran launched some 20 ballistic missiles at Israel this morning, with four direct impacts, including the home in Azor.

Missiles carrying large warheads hit Soroka Hospital in Beersheba and buildings in Ramat Gan and Holon, causing extensive damage and wounding dozens.