Human Rights Watch questions Israel’s use of White Phosphorus in Lebanon

Human rights organisation Human Rights Watch (HRW) has alleged that the Israeli military carried out an unlawful strike using white phosphorus shells in a residential area of southern Lebanon , raising serious concerns about civilian safety and possible violations of international humanitarian law.

In a report released on Monday, HRW said the Israeli military fired artillery shells containing the controversial incendiary substance at the village of Yohmor. The organisation said it geolocated and verified seven images that indicate the use of white phosphorus over residential areas in the village.

According to the report, the shelling occurred hours after the Israeli military warned residents of Yohmor and several other villages in southern Lebanon to evacuate. However, HRW said it could not independently confirm whether civilians were still present in the area at the time of the attack or whether anyone was injured.

White phosphorus is widely criticised by human rights advocates due to its severe effects. The chemical substance ignites when exposed to oxygen and burns at extremely high temperatures, capable of setting buildings on fire and causing deep burns that can penetrate human flesh to the bone . Survivors often face long-term complications, including infections, respiratory damage and organ failure .

“The Israeli military's unlawful use of white phosphorus over residential areas is extremely alarming and will have dire consequences for civilians,” said Ramzi Kaiss, Lebanon researcher at Human Rights Watch.

The Israeli military did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the latest allegations. In the past, it has maintained that white phosphorus is used primarily to create smoke screens to obscure troop movements rather than to deliberately target civilians.

Human rights groups, including Amnesty International , have previously accused Israel of using the munition during its last war with Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, even when civilians were reportedly present in affected areas.

While international humanitarian law restricts the use of incendiary weapons in populated areas, there is no complete global ban on white phosphorus. Following the latest allegations, there has been growing international pressure to stop its use in civilian regions, though there is no confirmation yet that Israel or other militaries will completely stop using the substance.