Israeli forces use phosphorus shells in southern Lebanon attacks

Israeli forces used phosphorus munitions while shelling several towns in southern Lebanon on Friday, state news agency NNA reported. Artillery struck the outskirts of Zawtar al-Sharqiyah, Mayfadoun and Nabatieh al-Fawqa in the Nabatieh district. Phosphorus shells were used in Nabatieh al-Fawqa, while Israel later renewed attacks on Zawtar al-Sharqiyah with similar munitions. Read: Pakistan, Lebanon agree to enhance intelligence sharing, security cooperation In the Tyre district, artillery fire also targeted Wadi Zibqin and the outskirts of Haris and Haddatha. Lebanese army specialists dismantled two unexploded Israeli aerial bombs in Majdal Selm and Al-Ghandouriyah in the Marjayoun and Bint Jbeil districts and moved them to a safe location. The Israeli offensive in Lebanon has killed at least 4,386 victims, wounded 12,407 and displaced more than 1 million others since early March, according to Lebanese authorities. The attacks continue despite a June framework deal that provides for a gradual Israeli withdrawal from occupied Lebanese territory in exchange for the deployment of the Lebanese army there and the disarmament of Hezbollah. Peace in southern Lebanon remains ‘elusive’: UN mission The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said on Tuesday that peace in southern Lebanon remains "elusive," stressing that permanently ending the conflict requires political will from the parties. The remarks came in a statement marking the International Day of Peace, observed annually on September 21, which UNIFIL commemorated Monday evening with a ceremony at its headquarters in the southern Lebanese town of Naqoura. “Today, peace in south Lebanon remains elusive, but the hope for peace endures,” UNIFIL said, stressing that lasting peace requires “political commitments and solutions from the parties themselves.” “Peacekeepers can help restore stability, avoid misunderstandings, and reduce the risk of escalation -- but they cannot replace the political will and decisions needed to end the conflict permanently,” it said. Read more: UN chief stresses smooth Lebanon pull-out "Peace is not something we address once a year; it is an enduring responsibility," UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Major General Diodato Abagnara said. “We patrol, we keep channels of communication open with the parties to reduce the risk of misunderstanding and escalation. We work with the Lebanese Armed Forces as they assume greater responsibilities in the south,” Abagnara said. He stressed that responsibility for reaching a political solution rests with the parties, while “UNIFIL will continue to do its part, keeping communication open, reducing the risk of escalation, and supporting diplomatic efforts.” The full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 "remains the objective and the basis for lasting peace and stability in south Lebanon," Abagnara added. “Continued cooperation between the Lebanese Armed Forces and peacekeepers remains central to maintaining stability and supporting the extension of state authority in the south,” he added.