HRW alleges Israel used white phosphorus in Lebanon

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has alleged that the Israeli military used shells containing white phosphorus during an attack on a village in southern Lebanon, raising concerns about the use of the controversial incendiary weapon.

In a report released Monday, the rights group said it verified seven images that reportedly show Israeli artillery firing white phosphorus into residential areas of the village of Yohmor in southern Lebanon.

According to the report, the incident occurred hours after the Israeli military issued evacuation warnings to residents in Yohmor and several nearby communities in southern Lebanon.

HRW said it used geolocation techniques to analyze the images and determine where the strikes allegedly took place. However, the organization noted that it could not independently confirm whether civilians were present in the area at the time or whether the attack caused casualties.

Ramzi Kaiss, a Lebanon researcher at Human Rights Watch, described the alleged use of white phosphorus in populated areas as concerning due to the potential risk to civilians.

The Israeli military has not released an immediate response to the specific allegations. In previous statements regarding similar claims, Israeli officials have said that white phosphorus may be used by the military to create smoke screens on the battlefield rather than to directly target civilians.

Human rights organizations, including HRW and Amnesty International, have previously raised concerns about the alleged use of white phosphorus during earlier conflicts between Israel and Hezbollah, particularly in areas where civilians were reportedly present.

What is white phosphorus?

White phosphorus is a chemical substance used in military munitions such as artillery shells, bombs, and rockets. When exposed to oxygen, it ignites and burns at extremely high temperatures.

The substance can produce thick smoke, which militaries sometimes use to create smoke screens for troop movements or to obscure visibility during operations.

However, white phosphorus is controversial because it can also cause fires and severe injuries. When dispersed in the air, burning fragments may spread over a wide area, potentially damaging homes, farmland, and other civilian structures.

Medical experts note that the chemical can cause serious burns if it comes into contact with human skin. The substance may continue burning when exposed to oxygen, which can make injuries particularly severe.

Under international humanitarian law, the use of white phosphorus in populated areas is considered highly risky because of its wide dispersal and the possibility of civilian harm. International rules require armed forces to take precautions to minimize risks to civilians when using such weapons.

Ongoing clashes in Lebanon

The report comes as fighting between Israeli forces and Hezbollah continues in parts of Lebanon.

Hezbollah said Monday that its fighters were engaging Israeli forces that had reportedly entered eastern Lebanon by helicopter from across the Syrian border. The group described it as the second such operation since the latest escalation of hostilities began.

According to Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency, clashes were reported near the outskirts of Nabi Sheet after what was described as a helicopter landing by Israeli forces.

Hezbollah also claimed it targeted Israeli troops entering border towns including Odaisseh and Aitaroun using artillery fire.

Lebanon’s health minister Rakan Nassereddine said Israeli strikes across the country had killed 394 people over the past week, including women and children.

Among the incidents reported was a strike on a hotel in central Beirut early Sunday that killed four people. Israeli authorities said the attack targeted commanders from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force, which Israel alleges were meeting at the location.

The latest developments come amid a broader escalation in tensions across the Middle East following recent hostilities involving Israel, Iran, and allied groups in the region.