by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Chief
(Worthy News) – The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced Thursday that Iran has, for the first time during the ongoing conflict, launched a ballistic missile equipped with a cluster bomb warhead toward Israeli territory. The unprecedented attack caused significant injuries and damage across several cities, including Beersheba, Ramat Gan, Holon, and Azor.
The missile, believed to contain Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicles (MIRV) or similar submunition technology, fragmented mid-air at an altitude of approximately seven kilometers. It dispersed around 20 smaller bombs, each weighing about 2.5 kilograms (5.5 pounds), over an area of roughly eight kilometers in diameter. These mini warheads are equipped with impact fuses, designed to detonate upon contact with the ground.
Four of the estimated 20 missiles fired by Iran Thursday morning hit Israeli soil, including a direct strike on Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba. That attack, along with hits in Holon, Ramat Gan, and Azor, injured more than 200 people. At least four victims are reported in serious condition, with 16 sustaining moderate injuries.
Residents across the affected areas reported hearing successive “miniature blasts” following the initial explosions. IDF and Home Front Command investigations confirmed that the smaller bombs caused damage comparable to short-range rockets typically launched by Hezbollah.
“The behavior of the missile is identical [to known Iranian ballistic missiles], but it carries a different warhead. It’s enough to enter a shelter to remain safe,” a senior military source told Israel Hayom. The IDF emphasized that while the geographic threat radius is larger due to the submunitions, the individual warheads pose less destructive power than standard ballistic missile warheads, which can weigh between 400 to 900 kilograms.
In response to the attack, bomb disposal units and emergency teams were dispatched across central Israel, including to Yaffa, Savyon, Or Yehuda, and other locations where unexploded ordnance was discovered. The Israel Fire and Rescue Authority issued an urgent warning to the public, urging residents not to approach or attempt to move any unexploded devices and to notify authorities immediately.
Following the assault, the IDF and Home Front Command launched a rapid public awareness campaign, reiterating safety procedures and emphasizing the danger of unexploded submunitions. The military stressed that shelters, safe rooms, and bunkers remain sufficient protection against this new threat.
The use of a cluster bomb ballistic missile marks a significant escalation by Iran in the conflict, although Israeli defense officials noted that such missile capabilities had long been anticipated. The IDF vowed to continue monitoring the situation and to take necessary measures to safeguard the population from evolving threats.
Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
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