A global human rights group reported on Wednesday that Israel has used white phosphorus (incendiary shells) on residential buildings in at least five towns and villages in war-torn southern Lebanon, causing harm to civilians and violating international law. The report stated that 173 people affected by this have received treatment. According to the Human Rights Watch report, there is no evidence of burn injuries from white phosphorus in Lebanon, but signs of potential respiratory damage have been observed.
Advocates for human rights argue that deploying controversial weapons in populated areas is a violation of international law. Israel maintains that it employs white phosphorus solely for smoke screens and not to target civilians. The extremely hot chemical can ignite buildings and even burn human bones. White phosphorus ignites upon contact with oxygen, reaching temperatures of up to 800 degrees.
A gunman in Lebanon made an attempted attack on the US embassy near Beirut. In response, soldiers shot the attacker, identified as a Syrian citizen by the Lebanese army. The injured assailant has been taken to the hospital. Gunfire near the US diplomatic mission in the north of Beirut lasted for approximately thirty minutes.
The US embassy confirmed that no employees were harmed during the morning attack at the entrance of the embassy. Following Spain, Ireland, and Norway, Slovenia has decided to recognize the State of Palestine, casting its vote in favor of Palestine over Israel in this European nation.
