Monday, July 02, 2007

"Information presented to the U.S. by the Foreign Ministry indicates that Israel did indeed violate the agreement. According to the United Nations demining unit, 30 civilians have been killed and 180 wounded by unexploded bomblets since the cease-fire went into effect. During the war, Israel made use of American-made cluster bombs that left behind thousands of unexploded bomblets, even though Israel Military Industries produces cluster bombs that leave nearly no unexploded munitions. The main reason for the use of the U.S.-made weapons: Israel uses American military aid funds to purchase cluster bombs from the U.S., and in order to buy IMI-made bombs, the Israel Defense Forces would have to dip into its own budget. "The consideration is budgetary," a defense related source said. However, each IMI-made cluster bomblet costs a mere $10." (thanks Nadim)