Israel suspected of using white phosphorous in Lebanon, wounding 15 peacekeepers

Israel's military forcibly entered a clearly marked UN peacekeeper base in southern Lebanon (Unifil), and are suspected of using white phosphorus close enough to wound 15 peacekeepers, according to a confidential report seen by the Financial Times.

The report was prepared by a country which contributes to Unifil. 

Israeli troops have damaged several UN facilities and wounded peacekeepers in southern Lebanon in recent weeks.

The report includes photographs documenting the extent of the damage inflicted by Israeli forces to bunkers, perimeter walls and observation towers at a number of UN bases.

On 13 October, two Israeli tanks broke through a Unifil base, before leaving after 45 minutes. 

An hour later, several rounds were fired around 100 metres from the base, which emitted “smoke of suspected white phosphorus”, the report said. It wounded 15 peacekeepers.