From: Ad 

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/789876.html

lobbing cluster bombs on purpose into a built up area is a no no. One
wonders quite what was in the Israelis mind.

"The Israel Defense Forces discovered that there had been
"irregularities" in the use of cluster munitions, even before the
end of the recent Lebanon war, sources in the defense minister's office
said Monday. As a result of this information, Defense Minister Amir Peretz
ordered an "extensive inquiry" into the use of these munitions
before the war's end.

Meanwhile, for the first time Monday, the IDF admitted targeting populated
areas with cluster munitions. In a statement released by the IDF
Spokesman's Office, "the use of cluster munitions against built-up
areas was done only against military targets where rocket launches against
Israel were identified and after taking steps to warn the civilian
population."

The statements released by the minister's office contradict Israel Defense
Forces' claims - made both during and after the war - regarding the use of
cluster munitions.

One IDF version, which remained unchanged until earlier this week, held
that the firing of cluster munitions was done in accordance with
international law. "


An Israeli MK puts it rather well:

"MK Ran Cohen (Meretz), a reservist colonel who commanded an artillery
battalion during the first Lebanon war, said, according to his experience,
the use of cluster munitions is "very unusual." As far as he was
aware, he said, any use of such munitions requires authorization by the
division commander or higher.

"This is a very serious matter," MK Cohen said. "If cluster
bombs were used in populated areas, this constitutes an indescribable
crime. There is no target that cannot be hit without cluster bombs. The
massive use by the IDF of cluster bombs during the war suggests an absolute
loss of control and hysteria." "

Indeed. One wonders what was in the Israelis mind. They've been in this
bonkers mindset since (e.g. wrt threatening UNIFIL forces in Lebanon/off
the coast of Lebanon). I think they believe the hype.

& who will pay for clearing up?

"Since the cease-fire went into effect on August 14, at least 22
civilians, including many children, have been killed and 134 others injured
by unexploded bomblets.

To date, roughly 58,000 unexploded bomblets have been discovered at about
800 different sites in southern Lebanon. Most are near populated areas.

The United Nations demining unit believes that as much as 30 to 40 percent
of bomblets may be duds. This translates into hundreds of thousands of
unexploded bomblets throughout southern Lebanon, which endanger the lives
of residents and block farmers from working their land."

Adam

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