Despite ceasefire, Israeli forces continue strikes in Lebanon and demolish homes in many villages
White phosphorus fired by Israeli army to create a smoke screen, is seen on the Israel-Lebanon border in northern Israel, November 12, 2023. PHOTO: REUTERS
The Israeli army shelled towns in southern Lebanon with phosphorus munitions on Tuesday, according to the National News Agency NNA.
The agency reported that the towns of Kounine and Beit Yahoun in the Bint Jbeil district were targeted with artillery shells containing phosphorus, which were banned internationally.
Israeli warplanes separately carried out airstrikes on the towns of Kafra, Braachit and Safad al-Battikh in the Tyre district, said the report.
Additional strikes hit Beit al-Sayyad and Mansouri, where three raids targeted residential homes, according to the agency.
No casualties were reported.
Despite a ceasefire that was announced on April 17 and extended until May 17, the Israeli army continues daily strikes in Lebanon and widespread demolition of homes in dozens of villages.
Read More: HRW accuses Israel of using white phosphorus
Lebanon’s Health Ministry said Tuesday that the death toll from Israeli attacks since March 2 had reached 2,702, with 8,311 injured.
In March, the Israeli military illegally used white phosphorus munitions over homes in the southern Lebanese town of Yohmor on March 3, posing a threat to civilians, Human Rights Watch said in a report on Monday.
“The incendiary effects of white phosphorus can cause death or cruel injuries that result in lifelong suffering,” Ramzi Kaiss, a Lebanese researcher at Human Rights Watch, said in the statement.
The rights group said it had verified eight images showing white phosphorus used over a residential part of Yohmor, and civil defence workers responding to fires in the area.
