The record

Israeli airstrike and reported use of white phosphorus on Zawtar al-Sharqiya, Nabatieh, Lebanon

· Zawtar al-Sharqiya, Nabatieh, Lebanon

What happened

An airstrike hit the town of Zawtar al-Sharqiya in the Nabatieh district of southern Lebanon on 24 September. An Al Jazeera correspondent reported the Israeli airstrike on the town (reported by Global News Monitor on 25 September).

A later account said the Israeli army dropped white phosphorus bombs on the outskirts of Zawtar al-Sharqiyah municipality, near the city of Nabatieh. That account was reported by Lebanon's state-run National News Agency and published by Middle East Eye (reported 25 September).

A further report by the state news agency NNA said Israeli forces used phosphorus munitions while shelling several towns in southern Lebanon on that day. It said artillery struck the outskirts of Zawtar al-Sharqiyah, Mayfadoun and Nabatieh al-Fawqa in Nabatieh district and fired on locations in Tyre district including Wadi Zibqin, Haris and Haddatha; it specified phosphorus shells were used in Nabatieh al-Fawqa and said attacks on Zawtar al-Sharqiyah were later renewed with similar munitions (reported by Middle East Monitor on 26 September).

Contradictions or uncertainties

The original report identified the incident as an Israeli airstrike. Later accounts specify the munition as white phosphorus and expand the account to include artillery strikes and use of phosphorus munitions in multiple nearby towns. The Al Jazeera correspondent (via Global News Monitor) reported an airstrike on Zawtar al-Sharqiya; the National News Agency (reported by Middle East Eye) said white phosphorus bombs were dropped on Zawtar al-Sharqiyah's outskirts; and NNA (reported by Middle East Monitor) said phosphorus shells were used in Nabatieh al-Fawqa and that Zawtar al-Sharqiyah was shelled and struck again with similar munitions. These accounts differ on weapon type and on whether strikes were by air or by artillery.

Sources

- Global News Monitor (25 September): Al Jazeera correspondent — Israeli airstrike on the town of Zawtar al-Sharqiya in the Nabatieh district of southern Lebanon. - Middle East Eye (25 September): National News Agency of Lebanon — Israeli army dropped white phosphorus bombs on the outskirts of Zawtar al-Sharqiyah municipality, near the city of Nabatieh. - Middle East Monitor (26 September): National News Agency of Lebanon — Israeli forces used phosphorus munitions while shelling several towns in southern Lebanon on 24 September; artillery struck outskirts of Zawtar al-Sharqiyah, Mayfadoun and Nabatieh al-Fawqa, and phosphorus shells were used in Nabatieh al-Fawqa; attacks on Zawtar al-Sharqiyah were later renewed with similar munitions.

Figures

killed: null injured: null

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