Israel panel critiques use of clusterbombs

JERUSALEM, Feb. 1 (UPI) -- An Israeli government-appointed commission has criticized Israel's use of cluster bombs in civilian areas of Lebanon during the 2006 border war.

The five-member commission, in the exhaustive, long-awaited report on Israel's conduct during the 34-day war, cited lack of discipline, control and oversight though it did not challenge directly the use of the bombs. The panel, however, raised questions about where they were used, the Los Angeles Times said Friday.

At issue was the army's use of the ordnance against Hezbollah guerillas in Lebanese villages from which civilians fled but would eventually return.

U.N. monitors in Lebanon said 26 civilians died in explosions in southern Lebanon since the war ended, most of from leftover Israeli cluster bombs.

Cluster bombs spray deadly bomblets over a wide area. The U.N. and human rights organizations say about 4 million bomblets were used.