Iran fires cluster munition ballistic missile at central Israel — daycare hit in Rishon Lezion; no injuries

Iran fired a ballistic missile carrying a cluster munition warhead at central Israel on Day 22 (Saturday, March 21, 2026), with impacts confirmed across Rishon Lezion, Lod, and Shoham. Times of Israel and Yahoo News confirmed the strike at approximately 09:09 UTC. DAMAGE ASSESSMENT: - Daycare in Rishon Lezion struck by cluster munition fragments — building damaged - Crater formed and a car was flipped over at the Rishon Lezion impact site - At least 6 other impact sites reported across central Israel - A woman trapped inside a safe room was rescued by her father after the blast destroyed much of the house - Magen David Adom: no injuries reported The daycare was empty at the time of impact. CONTEXT: Iran has repeatedly deployed cluster munition warheads on ballistic missiles targeting Israeli population centers throughout the war. Day 21 saw Iran fire a 2nd cluster bomb warhead, with bomblet craters at a playground in Kiryat Ono (CRITICAL event). The Rishon Lezion strike continues this pattern on Day 22. Iran's use of cluster munitions against civilian infrastructure has drawn international condemnation, with multiple human rights organizations documenting the strikes as violations of international humanitarian law.