After reporting that it had been struck with a cluster bomb, Israel has resumed attacks on Yemen’s Houthi rebels, a terrorist group known for its opposition to the war in Gaza. The Israeli military claimed that the Houthi strike had been the first use of such bombs by the Iran-backed Houthis during the current conflict with Israel.
Local media and the Associated Press reported that the strikes occurred in Sanaa, Yemen’s capital.
The Israeli military is also reportedly investigating why it was unable to intercept the missile carrying the munitions, which are banned by more than 100 countries. The United Nations has also prohibited the use of cluster munitions. The UN’s Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) prohibits under any circumstances the use, development, production, acquisition, stockpiling, and transfer of cluster munitions, as well as the assistance or encouragement of anyone to engage in prohibited activities.
Cluster munitions are a war method used to disperse large numbers of tiny bomblets from a rocket, missile, or artillery shell that will scatter them in mid-flight over a wide area. They are intended to explode on impact, but a significant proportion are “duds”, meaning they do not explode initially, but can explode later. This happens especially if they land on wet or soft ground. This can create a major humanitarian issue once the war or conflict ends.
When asked about the alliance’s stance as Washington and Moscow pursue peace efforts, Dragone said NATO would “continue military assistance and even increase it,” accusing Russia of “stalling” dialogue, accoridng to a report by the BBC.
The retaliatory operation on Sanaa was ordered and overseen by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz. The Israeli government published a photograph showing the prime minister at the command centre in Tel Aviv during the attacks.
“Anyone who attacks us – we attack them. Anyone planning to attack us – we attack them. I believe the entire region is learning the power and determination of the State of Israel,” the prime minister said afterwards. –BBC
The Houthis’ use of cluster bombs shows just how much they don’t care about the humanitarian efforts in Gaza. If they did, they wouldn’t use banned munitions that cause further humanitarian issues.
Do you agree? Or were the Houthis in the right for using the prohibited devices against their enemy? Let us know in the comments and start a discussion.
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