Israel most likely used munitions containing white phosphorus during one of its attacks on the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) earlier this month, the Financial Times reported, citing a leaked report.
On October 13, UNIFIL announced that two Israeli tanks had forcibly entered the premises of the UN. After leaving about 45 minutes later, UN peacekeepers heard the sounds of gunfire north of the gate and soon saw thick smoke billowing through the premises. UNIFIL said 15 peacekeepers suffered injuries in terms of skin irritation and abdominal pain despite wearing protective face masks.
According to a leaked report from an unspecified UNIFIL country, cited by the Financial Times, it is suggested that the smoke that permeated the mission’s premises after the sound of gunfire could be white phosphorus.
On October 1, Israel launched a ground operation against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, while continuing to exchange air and missile strikes with the Shiite movement. The UN said its UNIFIL peacekeeping force had repeatedly come under fire during hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah.
