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
The Shenzhou-19 crew members aboard China's orbiting space station on Tuesday sent their New Year greetings, wishing for more remarkable achievements for the country's manned space program in the year of 2025.
On Tuesday, the last day of 2024, Chinese astronauts Cai Xuzhe, Song Lingdong, and Wang Haoze remained busy and completed the retrieval of extravehicular experiment payloads.
In addition to their busy work, the three astronauts also sent their New Year greetings from the space station.
"Hello everyone, I am astronaut Cai Xuzhe. Today is the last day of 2024, and I hope that all of you can join me, full of energy, forge ahead courageously, and running into the year of 2025. Let's go," Cai said.
"I am astronaut Song Lingdong. Recently, we have been conducting experiments on musculoskeletal loading using the equipment cabinet in human systems research. We are also using advanced equipment such as ultrasound equipment and instrument for counteracting bone loss to carry out in-orbit weightlessness protection. As the new year is just around the corner, I wish for our space laboratory to achieve fruitful results and for everyone to have a bumper harvest and an endless good fortune," Song said.
"I am astronaut Wang Haoze, and I will introduce our new friend Xiaohang to everyone. Xiaohang, up a little, Xiaohang, down a little, Xiaohang, take a photo. In the future, Xiaohang will be upgraded to perform tasks such as cabin inspection, inventory management, product status checks, and question answering, becoming our smart assistant. Finally, together with Xiaohang, I wish everyone a happy New Year," Wang said.
As the new year arrives, the astronauts have also captured the first light of dawn in 2025 in the space station.
The Shenzhou-19 crew has been in orbit for two months. In 2025, the crew will continue to routinely conduct space science and application experiments and tests, as well as extravehicular activities.
"Let us look forward to more remarkable achievements in China's manned space program in 2025. May you all come true in the New Year, fireworks to the stars," said the three astronauts.
"Daring to lead at the forefront of the tide and striving with oars raised to sail towards excellence, the China Astronaut Research and Training Center wishes all the people across the country a Happy New Year," said the staff of the center.
China's Shenzhou-19 crew sends New Year greetings from space
