02/11/2023 5:15 p.m., updated 02/11/2023 5:31 p.m
Amnesty International said it found evidence that Israel used white phosphorus munitions in clashes with Hezbollah in Lebanon. The information is contained in a report that the agency published last Tuesday (October 31).
According to the organization, internationally banned ammunition was used by Israeli forces in civilian areas between October 10 and 16.
On October 16, an Israeli attack injured at least nine civilians and should be investigated as a war crime, the report said. “The illegal use of white phosphorus in Lebanon, in the city of Dhayra on October 16, seriously endangered the lives of civilians, many of whom were hospitalized and displaced, and whose houses and cars caught fire,” said the deputy regional director for the Middle East and North Africa at Amnesty International, Aya Majzoub.
In addition to Dhayra, Amnesty International says it has collected evidence that Benjamin Netanyahu’s government fired white phosphorus munitions in the towns of alMari and Aita alChaab on the IsraelLebanon border.
This is not the first time that Israel has been accused of using internationally banned ammunition against civilians. A few days after the start of the conflict with Hamas, the Palestinian Foreign Ministry and the European Observatory for Human Rights condemned the government of Benjamin Netanyahu for using bombs containing this substance in the Gaza Strip.
Although white phosphorus bombs are less lethal compared to other explosives, they have high destructive power. Ammunition of this type selfignites on contact with oxygen, causing explosions, fire and smoke that cannot be extinguished with water. In addition, they can cause coughing, irritation, severe burns and even organ failure in humans. Its use in civilian areas is internationally prohibited by the Geneva Convention and may constitute a war crime.
Israel x Lebanon
The Lebanese border has been a constant target of tension since the conflict between Israel and Hamas began on October 7.
There have been several bombings between Israeli forces and Hezbollah on the Lebanese border. The Iranianfunded group has been one of Hamas’ biggest supporters in the conflict against Israel, which is about to end.
In addition to several attacks on Israeli positions, Hezbollah has already threatened to open a new front against Israel, saying it is on “war alert” following events in Gaza.