Israel uses phosphorus shells in Southern Lebanon

Israel uses phosphorus shells in Southern Lebanon

Israeli forces shelled several areas in southern Lebanon on Friday, including locations where they reportedly used white phosphorus munitions, Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported.

Artillery fire hit the outskirts of Zawtar al-Sharqiyah, Mayfadoun and Nabatieh al-Fawqa in Nabatieh district. Israeli forces used phosphorus shells against Nabatieh al-Fawqa before launching another attack on Zawtar al-Sharqiyah with similar munitions.

In Tyre district, Israeli artillery also targeted Wadi Zibqin and areas around Haris and Haddatha.

Lebanese army specialists meanwhile dealt with two unexploded Israeli aerial bombs found in Majdal Selm and Al-Ghandouriyah, located in the Marjayoun and Bint Jbeil districts. The teams safely removed the bombs from the areas.

According to Lebanese authorities, Israel’s offensive in Lebanon has killed at least 4,386 people, injured 12,407 and forced more than one million people from their homes since early March.

The attacks have continued despite a framework agreement reached in June that calls for a phased Israeli withdrawal from occupied Lebanese territory. The arrangement also requires the Lebanese army to deploy in the affected areas and Hezbollah to disarm.

The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said Tuesday that achieving peace in southern Lebanon remains difficult and requires political commitment from all sides.

UNIFIL made the remarks as it marked the International Day of Peace, observed each year on September 21. The peacekeeping mission held a ceremony at its headquarters in Naqoura in southern Lebanon.

“Peace in south Lebanon remains elusive, but the hope for peace endures,” UNIFIL said, adding that a lasting settlement requires political commitments and solutions from the parties involved.

The mission said peacekeepers can help restore stability, prevent misunderstandings and reduce the risk of escalation, but political decisions remain necessary to permanently end the conflict.