Very difficult to stop: BBC explores Iran’s cluster bomb strike on Israel

In the early hours of the attack, a cluster bomb from Iran pierced the ceiling of an elderly couple’s home in central Israel, detonating in their modest living room and claiming both their lives. The remnants of the strike, now covered in ash, revealed the bomb’s trajectory through the wreckage. A gaping void in the roof of their top-floor apartment showed where the missile breached, sending fragments of concrete and metal into the interior. Shrapnel marks on the back walls highlighted the blast’s intensity, which shattered the front of the building, exposing it to the street beyond.

Survivor’s account of the attack

Sigal Amir, a neighbor who was in a shelter during the strike, described the moment the bomb hit. “We heard three consecutive explosions, but by the fourth, we knew it was our house,” she recounted. “A thunderous noise followed, and I felt a sharp pain in my ear from the shockwave.” She noted that the couple had not been in the shelter, as one of them had mobility challenges. Meanwhile, Israeli military spokesman Lt Col Nadav Shoshani explained the situation during a visit to the site. “You can see the entry point of the rocket, which traveled from Iran in a massive missile and broke into dozens of pieces,” he said. “There were numerous impact zones like this in central Israel.”

“There was a massive boom and I felt a pain in my ear from the blast,” said Sigal Amir.

“You can see the entry point of the rocket that flew all the way from Iran in a huge missile, and broke into dozens of pieces,” said Israeli military spokesman Lt Col Nadav Shoshani.

While Iran’s missile attacks have historically caused limited casualties, cluster bombs pose a greater challenge. These weapons spread over wide areas, making them harder to intercept, even if the missile is destroyed. As the war progressed, Iran has increasingly relied on this type of munition. Despite Israel’s efforts to intercept such threats, the bombs’ sheer volume—ranging from 20 to 80 projectiles per missile—has made defense difficult.

Another alarm blared as the BBC team was present, signaling potential incoming strikes. Sigal Amir guided them into her safe room, where the atmosphere was tense. “I feel there’s no end to it, no direction,” she admitted, echoing the growing uncertainty among Israelis. “We must endure this, but I’m not sure how long it will take, or where we’re headed.”

The Israeli government has framed the conflict as a decisive campaign against regional adversaries. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized Israel’s military dominance, claiming the war has reshaped the Middle East and solidified Israel’s status as a regional power. However, the war remains asymmetric, with Iran leveraging US concerns over oil prices, civilian casualties, and the safety of its Gulf allies to pressure for a resolution.

Meanwhile, the war has intensified on a second front against Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed group in Lebanon. After the assassination of Iran’s former Supreme Leader, Hezbollah joined the conflict, launching attacks from Israel’s northern border. Lebanon’s health ministry reported 912 deaths and hundreds of thousands displaced in Israeli operations. This week, Israeli ground forces advanced into southern Lebanon following evacuation orders, prompting US discussions on a potential agreement with the Lebanese government.

Despite the toll, Israel claims to have dismantled over 70% of Iran’s ballistic missile launchers. The country maintains that its attacks on Iran are now gaining momentum. Yet, the constant alerts and the evolving use of cluster munitions have stirred questions about the conflict’s future. As the war enters its 19th day, the resilience of Israel’s population is tested, with support for the campaign showing signs of wavering.