Israel was hit by a huge fire, and it was suspected that white phosphorus bombs were used
Firefighters on Tuesday morning were still working to extinguish flames across northern Israel. The fire continued to burn after being sparked the previous day by rockets and drones launched by Hezbollah from Lebanon.
The Times of Israel reported a statement from the Israel Fire and Rescue Service, which said more than 30 firefighters were working to put out the fire. The fire also caused the closure of several main roads in the Galilee region.
Fires also broke out in the Mount Adir and Amiad areas, where firefighters reported their main focus was preventing the blaze from spreading to the Kahal Moshav.
The Israel Defense Forces said they were assisting with firefighting efforts, adding that six reservists with minor injuries from smoke inhalation had been taken to the hospital.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office issued a statement saying the prime minister held an assessment with senior security officials "on developments in northern Israel" and was updated on firefighting efforts.
The fire comes amid increased cross-border fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, which has launched numerous attacks in the Galilee and Golan Heights in recent days.
Since October 8, 2024, Hezbollah forces have almost daily attacked Israeli communities and military posts along the border, and the group says they did so to pressure Israel to stop its attacks on Gaza.
So far, border clashes have resulted in 10 civilian deaths on the Israeli side, as well as the deaths of 14 IDF soldiers and reservists.
Hezbollah has named 328 of its members killed by Israel during the ongoing fighting, mostly in Lebanon but also in Syria.
The Israeli military has reportedly used white phosphorus bombs in attacks on five cities in Lebanon. The use of weapons that violate international law was revealed by human rights activists.
Human Rights Watch, as quoted by the Mirror on Thursday, June 6, 2024, said there had been no reports of burn victims, but it had heard reports indicating possible respiratory tract damage among the victims.
White phosphorus bombs, known as extremely hot chemical weapons, can burn down buildings and cause excruciating pain because they can burn human flesh down to the bones.
Survivors are at risk of infection and organ or respiratory failure, even if the burns are minor. But the Israeli military claims that it upholds international law regarding ammunition and the use of white phosphorus bombs.
They said the use of the chemical was only a smokescreen, not to target civilians. Researchers found that incendiary bombs had been used in residential areas in five cities in Lebanon, namely Kfar Kila, Mays al-Jabal, Boustan, Markaba, and Aita al-Shaab.
In its report, HRW asked the Lebanese government to allow the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate and try “grave international crimes” in Lebanon starting in October 2023.
The Times of Israel reported a statement from the Israel Fire and Rescue Service, which said more than 30 firefighters were working to put out the fire. The fire also caused the closure of several main roads in the Galilee region.
Fires also broke out in the Mount Adir and Amiad areas, where firefighters reported their main focus was preventing the blaze from spreading to the Kahal Moshav.
The Israel Defense Forces said they were assisting with firefighting efforts, adding that six reservists with minor injuries from smoke inhalation had been taken to the hospital.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office issued a statement saying the prime minister held an assessment with senior security officials "on developments in northern Israel" and was updated on firefighting efforts.
The fire comes amid increased cross-border fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, which has launched numerous attacks in the Galilee and Golan Heights in recent days.
Since October 8, 2024, Hezbollah forces have almost daily attacked Israeli communities and military posts along the border, and the group says they did so to pressure Israel to stop its attacks on Gaza.
So far, border clashes have resulted in 10 civilian deaths on the Israeli side, as well as the deaths of 14 IDF soldiers and reservists.
Hezbollah has named 328 of its members killed by Israel during the ongoing fighting, mostly in Lebanon but also in Syria.
The Israeli military has reportedly used white phosphorus bombs in attacks on five cities in Lebanon. The use of weapons that violate international law was revealed by human rights activists.
Human Rights Watch, as quoted by the Mirror on Thursday, June 6, 2024, said there had been no reports of burn victims, but it had heard reports indicating possible respiratory tract damage among the victims.
White phosphorus bombs, known as extremely hot chemical weapons, can burn down buildings and cause excruciating pain because they can burn human flesh down to the bones.
Survivors are at risk of infection and organ or respiratory failure, even if the burns are minor. But the Israeli military claims that it upholds international law regarding ammunition and the use of white phosphorus bombs.
They said the use of the chemical was only a smokescreen, not to target civilians. Researchers found that incendiary bombs had been used in residential areas in five cities in Lebanon, namely Kfar Kila, Mays al-Jabal, Boustan, Markaba, and Aita al-Shaab.
In its report, HRW asked the Lebanese government to allow the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate and try “grave international crimes” in Lebanon starting in October 2023.