The Israeli army officially admitted last night that it used cluster bombs in south Lebanon but stressed it was done only after Israeli settlements were shelled. Following pressure from reporters, the army spokesman issued a statement saying:
“In a number of cases artillery and Katyusha fire on Israeli settlements in the north continued without interruption. Against these artillery units and nearby field positions the Israeli Defense Force used cluster bombs.” He gave no further details. The use of the anti-personnel bombs and the U.S. complaint were mentioned at yesterday’s Cabinet meeting. But Cabinet Secretary Arye Naor refused to say whether they had been debated.
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