Lebanon Accuses Israel of Using White Phosphorus in Southern Airstrikes

FILE - A shell that appears to be white phosphorus from Israeli artillery explodes over a house in al-Bustan, a Lebanese village along the border with Israel, on Oct. 15, 2023. Israel's use of the controversial white phosphorus incendiary shells in conflict-hit southern Lebanon has harmed civilians and should be investigated as a possible crime under international law, global human rights group Human Rights Watch said Wednesday, June 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla, File)

Beirut (HRNW)- Lebanon’s official National News Agency (NNA) has accused the Israeli military of using white phosphorus shells during overnight operations in southern Lebanon, alleging that the attacks caused fires in olive groves and pine forests.

According to the National News Agency, Israeli forces fired white phosphorus shells at several areas in southern Lebanon between Sunday and Monday night, including Yaron, Haroun, and Bint Jbeil.

The report further stated that shortly after 1:00 a.m., Israeli warplanes carried out an airstrike on the outskirts of Nabatiya al-Fouqa, while an Israeli drone allegedly dropped a sound bomb near Beit al-Sayyad.

Israel had not issued an immediate official response to the claims at the time of publication. The Israeli military has been conducting ongoing operations against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon amid continuing regional hostilities.

According to the report, requests for comment from Israeli authorities had not received an official confirmation or denial regarding the allegations.

According to Amnesty International, white phosphorus is a highly flammable substance whose use is subject to strict restrictions under international humanitarian law because it can cause severe burns, fires and pose serious risks to civilians. While not completely banned for all military purposes, its use in or near civilian populations or residential areas may constitute a violation of international humanitarian law.

Tensions have remained high along the Lebanon-Israel border in recent months, with repeated reports of airstrikes, drone attacks and cross-border shelling.

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