HRW says Israel used white phosphorus over residential area in southern Lebanon

Human Rights Watch says it has found evidence that Israeli forces used white phosphorus munitions over a residential neighborhood in southern Lebanon earlier this month, raising concerns about possible violations of international humanitarian law.

In a report released Monday, the New York-based rights organization said it verified a series of images showing white phosphorus artillery shells detonating above the town of Yohmor on March 3. The photos show airburst munitions dispersing over a residential area, with fires breaking out in at least two homes.

Human Rights Watch said it confirmed the authenticity of seven photographs documenting the incident. According to the group, the images show white phosphorus munitions fired above a civilian neighborhood, where burning fragments ignited fires on rooftops and nearby property.

Ramzi Kaiss, a Lebanon researcher with the organization, said the incident raises serious concerns about civilian safety.

“The Israeli military’s unlawful use of white phosphorus over residential areas is extremely alarming and will have dire consequences for civilians.”

“The incendiary effects of white phosphorus can cause death or cruel injuries that result in lifelong suffering,” he added.

White phosphorus is a chemical substance that ignites when it comes into contact with oxygen. When used in artillery shells, it disperses burning fragments that can ignite buildings, vegetation and other objects on the ground. The substance can also cause severe burns if it comes into contact with human skin.

Human Rights Watch noted that the use of airburst white phosphorus in populated areas is considered unlawfully indiscriminate under international humanitarian law because it is difficult to control the spread of burning fragments once the munition bursts in the air.

The organization said it verified and geolocated an image published by Lebanese media on the morning of March 3 showing at least two artillery-fired white phosphorus munitions detonating over a residential district of Yohmor.

According to the report, the smoke patterns visible in the image are consistent with the distinctive “knuckle” formation produced by M825-series 155mm artillery projectiles that contain white phosphorus.

Investigators also examined photographs posted on Facebook by a civil defense team affiliated with the Islamic Health Committee in Yohmor. The images show emergency workers extinguishing fires on rooftops and in a car parked near residential buildings.

Human Rights Watch concluded that the fires likely resulted from felt wedges impregnated with white phosphorus, which are released from artillery shells during airburst dispersal.

The incident took place amid an intensifying conflict along the Israel-Lebanon border. Israeli forces have been carrying out a series of airstrikes in Lebanon, including attacks in Beirut’s southern suburbs.

Lebanon’s National News Agency reported Monday that Israeli airstrikes struck areas between the neighborhoods of Ghobeiry and Haret Hreik as well as the Safir district of the capital.

The Human Rights Watch report was published hours after the Israeli military said it was targeting Hezbollah positions in Beirut.

The escalation has already caused significant civilian displacement. More than half a million people in Lebanon have been registered as displaced as Israel issued orders for residents in several areas to evacuate.

Lebanese authorities say Israeli strikes have killed at least 394 people and injured more than 1,000 others.

Human Rights Watch also noted that Israel had previously used white phosphorus along border villages in southern Lebanon between October 2023 and May 2024, placing civilians at risk.

The organization called on Israel to immediately stop firing white phosphorus munitions in residential areas.

“Israel should immediately halt this practice and states providing Israel with weapons, including white phosphorus munitions, should immediately suspend military assistance and arms sales and push Israel to stop firing such munitions in residential areas,” Kaiss said.