26th December 2007 :   Israel's military advocate-general rules: IDF’s use of cluster bombs in Lebanon war was lawful and primarily targeted non-built-up areas (Israel)
Debka December 26, 2007, 8:30 PM (GMT+02:00)
Mandelblit stressed cluster bombs were dropped legitimately and in keeping with international law to pinpoint an enemy, the Hizballah terrorist organization, which fired 4,000 rockets and missiles against Israel civilian towns and villages for a whole month on a daily basis. They were used to destroy the launchers firing those rockets in their places of concealment in Hizballah bunkers.
The brigadier based his opinion on the probe led by Maj. Gen Gershon Hacohen, which found that most of Israel’s cluster bombs had been dropped on open ground with no civilian habitation. Built-up areas had been targeted only when Katyusha rockets fired against Israel originated from such locations. Therefore, the military advocate concluded, the IDF’s use of cluster bombs in the Lebanon War was confined to military targets and in keeping with the rules of engagement laid down in international law.