The head of a regional council in southern Israel filed a complaint with the United Nations after mortar shells fired from Gaza were found to contain the banned substance white phosphorous.

Two mortars that landed in the Eshkol regional council, with a population of 13,000, contained white phosphorous, which is banned by international law for use in populated areas. Phosphorus can cause severe burns and other injuries.

It reportedly was the fourth time that white phosphorus has been found on mortars fired from Gaza on Israel. — jta