NEW YORK -- As if the ruthless air attacks on Lebanese civilians weren't enough, Israel has been using illegal cluster munitions in populated areas of that country. Human Rights Watch researchers working on the ground in Lebanon have confirmed that an attack with cluster bombs was carried out on the village of Blida on July 19, killing one and wounding at least 12 civilians, including seven children.
This is not the first time that Israel has used these weapons in Lebanon. They were used in 1978 and in the 1980s, although the United States had placed restrictions and a moratorium on their use out of concern for civilian casualties.
According to Human Rights Watch, the use of these munitions in populated civilian areas may violate international humanitarian law.