Hezbollah has accused the Israeli military of deploying internationally banned cluster bombs in its ongoing strikes on southern Lebanon, where fighting has escalated in recent days.
The Lebanese militant group claims Israel targeted areas between the towns of Hanin and Tayr with these prohibited weapons, intensifying concerns over the humanitarian impact.
According to a statement released by Hezbollah through the official Lebanese news agency on Sunday, the group stated that Israeli forces fired missiles containing cluster bombs, which are illegal under international law.
This development comes amid growing violence along the Israel-Lebanon border. Earlier on Sunday, the Israeli military called for the evacuation of 21 villages in southern Lebanon, expanding its ground operations in the region. Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee urged residents to immediately leave their homes and move north of the Awali River to ensure their safety.
Hezbollah, a long-time ally of Hamas, began supporting the Palestinian group in Gaza on October 8, 2023. This alliance has led to near-daily exchanges of fire across the Israel-Lebanon border, displacing tens of thousands of people on both sides.
Since September, Israel’s military focus has shifted from Gaza to Lebanon. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to continue operations against Hezbollah until residents of northern Israel, who fled the conflict, can safely return to their homes.
Israel has launched a series of airstrikes targeting Hezbollah positions and has expanded its ground invasion across the Lebanese border since September 30.
According to official reports, the violence has claimed more than 1,200 lives in Lebanon and forced nearly one million people to flee their homes, further intensifying the humanitarian crisis in the region.
