[JURIST] An Israeli Cabinet official admitted for the first time Sunday that Israel employed phosphorous bombs [GlobalSecurity backgrounder] against Hezbollah guerillas during this summer's conflict in Lebanon [JURIST news archive]. Israeli Cabinet Minister Jacob Edery [official profile] confirmed that the weapons were used during combat and not just for target marking, as had previously been asserted. The use of incendiary weapons against civilians has been banned by Protocol III to the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons [text] since 1980, though Israel continues to assert that its use of the bombs comports with international law.

Allegations that Israel had used chemical munitions arose in July, when Lebanese President Emile Lahoud [official website] first accused Israel of using phosphorus weapons [JURIST report] in the 34-day conflict between Israel and Hezbollah [US State Dept. backgrounder]. AP has more.