The Israeli army used white phosphorus munitions in southern Lebanon, said United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix on Tuesday.
Lacroix made the statements at the UN headquarters in New York, noting that the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has launched an investigation into the matter.
"I believe there has been use of white phosphorus [munitions]. Then again, our position is that it should not be used in conditions where the civilian population is potentially affected by that. Now, in terms of the specifics, the conditions in which those cases occur, the UNFIL has conducted investigations. I don't have the elements of these investigations which are ongoing," he said.
White phosphorus munitions are offensive incendiary weapons that produce high temperatures and toxic smoke when burning. As a weapon, they are strictly regulated by international law.
In 1980, the United Nations adopted the Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons which may be deemed to be Excessively Injurious or to have Indiscriminate Effects, and the protocol on prohibitions or restrictions on the use of incendiary weapons annexed to the convention prohibits the use of incendiary weapons against civilians and civilian gatherings.
The Israeli army argued that it only used white phosphorus munitions as flares or to provide cover using the smoke they produced, and was therefore not subject to this restriction. Lacroix also said that UNIFIL is discussing with all parties on expanding the force's capacity building after the end of this round of conflict, with a focus on enhancing its ability to remove remaining explosive devices.
"I believe that the post hostilities environment in southern Lebanon would be characterized by a very significant presence of improvised explosive devices, remnants of war mines, and we are already working with some contributing countries to expand UNIFIL's capacity in that area," Lacroix said.
UN peacekeeping chief confirms Israel's use of phosphorus munitions in Lebanon
