Human Rights Watch Accuses Israel of Using White Phosphorus in Lebanon
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has leveled serious allegations against the Israeli military, claiming it unlawfully employed white phosphorus in attacks on southern Lebanon. The rights group released a report on Monday detailing its findings, which have reignited debates over the use of this incendiary weapon in conflict zones.
Details of the Alleged Incidents
According to HRW, the organization geolocated and verified seven images that purportedly show Israeli artillery firing white phosphorus shells into residential areas of the village of Yohmor in southern Lebanon. These strikes reportedly occurred shortly after the Israeli military issued evacuation warnings to residents of Yohmor and numerous other communities in the region.
Ramzi Kaiss, the Lebanon researcher at Human Rights Watch, expressed grave concern, stating, "The Israeli military’s unlawful use of white phosphorus over residential areas is extremely alarming and will have dire consequences for civilians." The group noted it could not independently confirm whether civilians were present during the attack or if any injuries occurred.
In response, the Israeli military has not released an immediate statement but has historically defended its use of white phosphorus, asserting it is primarily utilized for creating smoke screens rather than targeting civilians directly.
What Is White Phosphorus and Why Is It Controversial?
White phosphorus is a chemical substance that ignites upon contact with oxygen, burning at extremely high temperatures. It is typically dispersed through artillery shells, bombs, and rockets, posing significant risks to civilian infrastructure such as homes and agricultural land.
Under international humanitarian law, the use of airburst white phosphorus in populated areas is considered unlawfully indiscriminate. This is due to its ability to spread burning fragments over a wide area, leading to severe injuries. The weapon can burn through human tissue and may reignite when exposed to oxygen, making its effects particularly devastating.
International law mandates that militaries take all feasible precautions to avoid civilian harm when deploying such munitions. Rights organizations, including HRW and Amnesty International, have previously accused Israel of using white phosphorus during conflicts with Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, where civilians were reportedly present.
Ongoing Clashes Between IDF and Hezbollah
The allegations come amid escalating tensions in the region. Hezbollah announced on Monday that its fighters engaged Israeli forces who had landed by helicopter in eastern Lebanon from across the Syrian border. This marks the second such operation since the latest conflict erupted.
Lebanon became embroiled in the widening Middle East war last week when Hezbollah, backed by Iran, launched attacks on Israel following the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in joint US-Israeli strikes. Despite a 2024 ceasefire, Israel has continued targeting Hezbollah, conducting multiple strikes across Lebanon and deploying ground troops near border areas.
Hezbollah reported detecting approximately 15 Israeli helicopters entering eastern Lebanon from Syria, an area where the group maintains a strong presence. Clashes ensued, with the group using appropriate weapons to engage the infiltrating force. Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency confirmed fierce clashes near Nabi Sheet, where Israeli forces had reportedly carried out a helicopter landing.
In southern Lebanon, Hezbollah targeted Israeli soldiers in the border towns of Odaisseh and Aitaroun with artillery shells, leading to further confrontations. The health minister of Lebanon, Rakan Nassereddine, disclosed on Sunday that Israeli strikes over the past week have resulted in 394 fatalities, including 83 children and 42 women. Among the casualties were four individuals killed in an Israeli strike on a hotel in central Beirut, marking the first attack on the city center during the current war.
Israel’s military justified the strike as a precise operation targeting five commanders from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force, who were allegedly meeting at the hotel.
