Amnesty International has issued a stark condemnation of Iran's use of cluster munitions against populated areas in Israel during the recent June conflict, branding these actions as clear violations of international humanitarian law. The rights group's findings were released following an investigation into the "12 Day War," a fierce skirmish that erupted on June 13 and concluded with a ceasefire on June 24.

Erika Guevara Rosas, Amnesty International’s Senior Director for Research, Advocacy, Policy, and Campaigns, criticized the Iranian forces' strategy, stating that the use of such lethal weapons in or near civilian zones demonstrates a blatant disregard for international humanitarian norms. The conflict began with Israeli airstrikes targeting Iranian nuclear and military facilities, which prompted retaliatory missile and drone strikes by Iran on Israeli urban centers, leading to significant casualties and destruction on both sides.

Between June 19 and June 22, areas such as the Gush Dan metropolitan region near Tel Aviv, Beersheba, and Rishon LeZion were struck by ballistic missiles equipped with cluster munitions. Although these attacks primarily damaged infrastructure without immediate fatalities, the residual unexploded bomblets pose a continuing threat to civilian lives.

Cluster munitions, designed to release multiple explosive submunitions over a broad area, are notorious for their potential to cause indiscriminate harm, especially in populated settings. These weapons, whether launched from aircraft, artillery, or missiles, are prohibited under the 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions—a treaty not ratified by either Iran or Israel.

The legal framework surrounding the use of such weapons is clear. The 2008 Convention explicitly bans the use, development, production, stockpiling, and transfer of cluster munitions. Additionally, Article 51(4) of the Additional Protocol I (1977) to the Geneva Conventions outlaws attacks that are not directed at specific military targets or that use methods incapable of limiting harm to military objectives alone.

Amnesty International has called for both Iran and Israel to accede to the 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions to prevent future humanitarian disasters and align with global standards that protect civilian populations during armed conflicts. The organization's plea underscores the urgent need for adherence to international legal standards designed to safeguard human life and dignity in times of war.