Israeli army using unlawful white phosphorus in operations in Lebanon: Amnesty International

By Aysu Bicer

LONDON (AA) - Amnesty International has accused the Israeli army of deploying artillery shells containing the incendiary weapon white phosphorus in operations conducted along Lebanon's southern border between Oct. 10 and 16.

The organization's statement, issued Tuesday, has raised concerns about potential war crimes committed during the hostilities.

It said the most concerning incident occurred on Oct. 16, when the town of Dhayra was subjected to what it deemed an indiscriminate attack.

"One attack on the town of Dhayra on 16 October must be investigated as a war crime because it was an indiscriminate attack that injured at least nine civilians and damaged civilian objects and was therefore unlawful,” it said.

"It is beyond horrific that the Israeli army has indiscriminately used white phosphorous in violation of international humanitarian law," said Aya Majzoub, deputy regional director for the Middle East and North Africa at Amnesty International.

"The unlawful use of white phosphorus in Lebanon in the town of Dhayra on 16 October has seriously endangered the lives of civilians, many of whom were hospitalized and displaced and whose homes and cars caught fire.”

"With concern growing about an intensification of the hostilities in southern Lebanon, the Israeli army must immediately halt the use of white phosphorus, especially in populated areas, in line with its forgotten 2013 pledge to stop using these weapons. It must abide by its commitment and stop further endangering the lives of civilians in Lebanon," she added.

The Israeli army has expanded its air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip, which has been under relentless airstrikes since the Palestinian resistance group Hamas launched a surprise offensive against Israel on Oct. 7.

The death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip has climbed to 8,525, the Health Ministry in the blockaded enclave said Tuesday.

“The victims include 3,542 children and 2,187 women, while 21,543 other people were injured,” ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra told a press conference in Gaza City.

More than 1,538 Israelis have been killed in the conflict.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected growing calls for a cease-fire, saying it would be a "surrender" to Hamas.