Israel accused of cluster bomb mis-use

Israel may have mis-used American-made cluster bombs in civilian areas of Lebanon during the conflict against Hezbollah last summer, the US State Department said today.

Spokesman Sean McCormack said a preliminary report has been sent to the Congress on a US investigation of the issue. It is up the Congress as to whether the issue will be investigated further.

McCormack was unable to provide details of the investigation.

The United Nations said last summer that unexploded cluster bombs - anti-personnel weapons that spray bomblets over a wide area – littered homes, gardens and highways in south Lebanon.

Meanwhile, the Israeli air force said today it had decided to buy smart munitions kits from the Seattle-based Boeing aerospace company for an estimated €77m.

The Jerusalem Post daily said the planned purchase was for the Joint Direct Attack Munition, or JDAM, which converts conventional 2,000lb bombs into satellite-guided, precision weapons.

Defence officials said the acquisition was meant to replenish stores used up in last summer’s month-long conflict against the Hezbollah militia in Lebanon and increase future stock levels.