UN team confirms IDF use of phosphorus bombs during war

A UN team carrying out an environmental assessment of Lebanon after this summer's Israel-Hezbollah war confirmed that the Israel Defense Forces used artillery containing white phosphorus in its attacks, but found no evidence of depleted uranium, a UN official said Tuesday.

Achim Steiner, UN undersecretary-general and executive director of the UN Environment Program, said samples taken by scientists confirmed "the use of white phosphorus-containing artillery and mortar ammunition" by the IDF during the conflict.

Last month, Minister Jacob Edery said the IDF used phosphorus artillery shells against Hezbollah guerrilla targets during their war, confirming Lebanese allegations for the first time.

The Geneva Conventions ban using white phosphorus against civilians or civilian areas, and Israel has said the weapons were used solely against military targets.

Steiner also said the UN team found no evidence of penetrators or metal made of depleted uranium or other radioactive material. The assessment appeared to counter some media reports that suggested uranium-based munitions had been used during the monthlong war that ended on August 14.

"No depleted uranium shrapnel, or other radioactive residue was found," Steiner said in a statement. "The analysis of all smear samples taken shows no depleted uranium, nor enriched uranium nor higher than natural uranium content in the samples."

Steiner said the UN team collected samples from September 30 to October 21 with one group focusing on munitions during the conflicts. Several samples were taken to three independent laboratories in Europe for tests, the statement said.

	IDF tanks riding along Lebanon's border with Israel on July 25. (Archives)