Tel Aviv was gripped by panic on Thursday after Iran launched a ballistic missile carrying a cluster bomb warhead at central Israel, according to the Israeli military.
An Israeli military official said the missile poses a broader threat than conventional warheads due to its payload of submunitions. "This type of missile endangers a much wider area," he told the Times of Israel, adding that each submunition has a smaller explosive power but is scattered over a large radius.
The warhead reportedly splits at around 7 kilometers altitude, releasing approximately 20 smaller bomblets across an 8-kilometer radius. These submunitions lack guidance systems and fall unpredictably, increasing the danger to civilians.
The Israeli army has issued strong warnings against approaching missile debris, stressing that remaining parts may still explode.
Iran launched around 20 ballistic missiles in total, with four reportedly striking a residential home in Azor. Other missiles, fitted with heavy warheads, hit Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba and buildings in Ramat Gan and Holon, causing major damage and injuring dozens.
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