Inquiry Into Circumstances Of Use Of Cluster Munitions During Israeli-Lebanese Conflict

2006-11-20

[Dr. Aaron Lerner - IMRA: Unfortunately, the IDF has been using made in USA cluster bombs instead of the Israeli made cluster bombs that have 0.2-1% duds.]

IDF Spokesperson Announcment

Maj. Gen. Ha'cohen appointed to inquire the circumstances of the use of cluster munitions during the Israeli-Lebanese conflict

Within the framework of a recent operational inquiry into the use of cluster munitions throughout the Israeli-Lebanese conflict, questions were raised regarding the full implementation of the orders of the IDF General Staff concerning the use of cluster munitions.

The results of the abovementioned operational inquiry were presented to the IDF Chief of Staff, who, after consultation with the Military Advocate General, has appointed Maj. Gen. Gershon Ha'cohen to lead an inquiry into the circumstances of the use of cluster munitions during the Israeli-Lebanese conflict, between July 12th 2006 and August 14th 2006.

Maj. Gen. Ha'cohen was ordered to look into the implementation of all orders and instructions regarding the use of cluster type munitions, in the course of the conflict.

Once concluded, the findings of the inquiry will be presented to the Chief of Staff and the Military Advocate General, who will decide on further necessary actions.

For the avoidance of doubt, it is important to clarify that the use of cluster munitions is not prohibited under customary international law; nor is the use of this particular kind of munitions prohibited by the Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons which May be Deemed to be Excessively Injurious or to Have Indiscriminate Effects (CCW), to which Israel is party. This weapon is used by a number of states and is, as aforementioned, both lawful and legitimate. Clearly, as in the case of all arms, the use of cluster munitions must conform to the rules of warfare.

It should also be noted, that the findings of the operational inquiry show that prior to the firing of cluster munitions, safety warnings were given by the IDF to the civilian population, recommending them to leave certain areas. The findings also show that the firing of cluster munitions was directed only at legitimate military targets which had been identified as sites from which Katyusha rockets were being launched against Israel.

Following the conflict, Israel transferred maps to UNIFIL identifying areas suspected as consisting of duds, including those of cluster munitions. These maps assist UNIFIL and the Lebanese government in removing the cluster munitions duds, and significantly minimize the risk of unnecessary harm to the civilian population.

Source: IMRA – Independent Media Review and Analysis