Lebanon says 435 killed in Israeli attacks since Oct. 8

By Wassim Saifuldine

BEIRUT (AA) - At least 435 people have been killed and 1,801 others injured in Israeli attacks in Lebanon since Oct. 8, the Health Ministry said on Wednesday.

A ministry statement said that 44% of the injuries were due to shock, 35% resulted from explosions, and 16% were chemical-related.

The ministry said 95% of the injured people were Lebanese, without specifying the nationality of the remaining victims.

Lebanon accuses Israel of using white phosphorus bombs in attacks on the southern part of the country.

White phosphorus munitions are highly flammable upon contact with oxygen, used to create smoke screens and illuminate the battlefield.

The ministry said that the Israeli attacks have displaced at least 92,228 people since Oct. 8.

Tensions have risen along Lebanon's border with Israel amid cross-border attacks between Lebanese group Hezbollah and Israeli forces as Tel Aviv pressed ahead with its deadly offensive on the Gaza Strip, which has killed over 37,700 people since October following an attack by the Palestinian group Hamas.

*Writing by Mohammad Sio