JERUSALEM (VINnews) – Approximately 50% of the ballistic missiles Iran has launched at Israel during the ongoing war have been equipped with cluster bomb warheads, according to fresh assessments by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

These warheads release dozens of submunitions, each containing several kilograms of explosives, that disperse indiscriminately over a radius of about 10 kilometers (6 miles), military officials said. The spread increases the risk to civilian areas and complicates interception efforts.

IDF officials noted that while Israel’s multilayered air defense systems have proven effective against many incoming threats, defenses are not impervious. Intercepting missiles with cluster warheads poses particular challenges, as the submunitions can deploy mid-flight even if the main projectile is struck.

The attacks have targeted both population centers and military installations, along with critical infrastructure, the IDF said. In recent days, Iranian barrages have involved only one or a small number of missiles at a time rather than large coordinated salvos.

Military sources indicated that Iran appears to be facing difficulties in mounting larger, synchronized attacks toward Israel.

The use of cluster munitions has drawn international criticism in past conflicts due to their indiscriminate nature and the long-term dangers posed by unexploded ordnance. Recent strikes have caused injuries and damage in central Israel, with reports of multiple impact sites from single missiles.