JERUSALEM

The Israeli army is investigating reports that last week’s mortar shells by Lebanese group Hezbollah possibly contained white phosphorus.

Two mortar shells hit the Metulla area from southern Lebanon last week, causing a big fire and engulfing part of the road they hit.

“It appears that the two mortar shells contained phosphorus and belonged to the Israeli army, but fell into the hands of Hezbollah,” Israeli public broadcaster KAN said.

KAN, citing the Israeli army, said bomb disposal experts arrived at the site of the attack to examine the remains of the two shells.

According to the broadcaster, the shells were likely old Israeli war munitions that had been taken out of service.

If confirmed, it would be the first time for Hezbollah to use shells containing white phosphorus against Israeli targets.

Tension has flared along the border between Lebanon and Israel amid intermittent exchanges of fire between Israeli forces and Hezbollah in the deadliest clashes since the two sides fought a full-scale war in 2006.

The border tensions erupted amid an Israeli military offensive in the Gaza Strip, which killed nearly 25,700 people following a cross-border attack by Hamas on Oct. 7.

*Writing by Mohammad Sio