Persistent Clusters of Death Continue to Claim Victims

The "Cluster Munitions Observation 2026" reports that the cluster munitions dropped by Israeli aircraft on Lebanon over the past years still pose a significant threat to civilians. Some unexploded bombs continue to cause fatalities and injuries in populated areas years after their use, killing or injuring approximately 1,063 people in 2025 alone, with a notable increase in casualties. Civilians accounted for 87% of these victims, most of whom are Arabs and Black individuals. These weapons are used by many countries, including Israel, employing artillery and rockets. Their unexploded remnants remain lethal for many years, especially in conflict zones such as Lebanon, Syria, and Ukraine. Despite bans on their use and targeted efforts in international treaties, some countries like Russia and Ukraine still deploy them. There is evidence of their manufacture in several nations, even though most treaty-signing countries adhere to the bans. Collecting and removing these remnants pose a major challenge. In 2025, $116 million was allocated for demining projects, but funding shortages have hampered efforts. Human rights organizations are calling for a review of international commitments to ban these weapons and for increased enforcement of such bans.

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