According to Human Rights Watch, the Israeli military is illegally employing airburst white phosphorus weapons in its attacks on Lebanon, endangering civilians in its northern neighbor.
The human rights organization confirmed in a report on Wednesday that Israel illegally deployed airburst munitions over densely populated residential areas in five municipalities.
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The investigation documented the deployment of white phosphorus munitions in at least 17 localities in south Lebanon since October 2023.
“Israel’s use of airburst white phosphorus munitions in populated areas indiscriminately harms civilians and has forced many to flee their homes,” researcher Ramzi Kaiss said in a statement. “Israeli forces should immediately stop using white phosphorus munitions in populated areas, especially when less-harmful alternatives are readily available.”
Warfare uses white phosphorus, a highly flammable chemical, to create smoke screens, designate targets, and act as an anti-personnel device. When exposed to oxygen, it ignites and emits dense white smoke, resulting in severe burns on contact with the skin.
The use of white phosphorous can result in severe burns that are difficult to heal, inhalation injuries, bone and muscle damage, and systemic toxicity, which can lead to organ failure.
White phosphorus has damaged at least 173 individuals since October, according to Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health. The displacement of more than 92,600 people has occurred.
Amnesty International has similarly revealed the Israeli military’s illegal use of white phosphorus. Amnesty International has already urged the investigation of one such attack on the town of Dhayra as a war crime.
Human Rights Watch stated that, unlike Lebanon, Israel is not a party to Protocol III of the Convention on Conventional Weapons, which it describes as “the only legally binding instrument dedicated specifically to incendiary weapons.”
“We need stronger international standards against the use of white phosphorus to ensure these weapons do not continue to endanger civilians,” Kaiss stated. “Israel’s recent use of white phosphorus in Lebanon should motivate other countries to take immediate action toward this goal.”
