Central Israel came under heavy missile attack today as Iran launched air strikes, reportedly using ballistic missiles equipped with cluster bomb warheads. The attack followed Iran’s pledge to avenge the killings of its security chief, Ali Larijani, and Basij force commander Gholamreza Soleimani, after Israel claimed responsibility for both the assassinations.
Severe impact has been reported at multiple sites across the region in the attack. All kinds of emergency services are actively responding to the reports of attacks at different locations. Local police are currently securing the areas affected by the debris and munitions. Regular and reserve rescue and salvage forces have been deployed at impact sites to scan for survivors and assist the population.
VIDEO: Footage shows cluster munitions raining down from an Iranian ballistic missile over central Israel.
Two killed in the latest aerial assault
According to Magen David Adom (MDA), Israel’s national emergency medical service, at least two people were killed in one of the missile strikes in central Israel.
In the city of Bnei Brak, located just north of Tel Aviv, one person was reported to have been lightly injured by shrapnel from the missile.
Assessment of the full extent of the damage is still underway. Meanwhile, the authorities urged residents to remain alert and follow safety instructions issued by the military’s Home Front Command.
Tel Aviv, Israel: Two people were killed in the Ramat Gan area east of Tel Aviv after a barrage of Iranian missiles struck central Israel early Wednesday
(Visuals from the city) pic.twitter.com/wfVipGVLhp
— IANS (@ians_india) March 18, 2026
What are cluster munitions?
Cluster bomb warheads disperse dozens of smaller submunitions, each with several kilograms of explosives, over a wide radius of up to 10 kilometres. Each submunition is capable of causing significant damage.
Due to their indiscriminate nature and long-term risks from unexploded ordnance, their use is prohibited under the 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions.
However, key countries, including Iran, Israel, and the United States, are not signatories to the treaty.