Israel Accused of White Phosphorus Usage in Southern Lebanon

Human Rights Watch claims Israel used white phosphorus incendiary shells on residential buildings in southern Lebanon, potentially harming civilians and violating international law. Although no burn injuries were reported, possible respiratory damage was indicated. The report includes interviews and visual evidence of shell usage in five Lebanese towns.

In a compelling report published on Wednesday, Human Rights Watch (HRW) has accused Israel of deploying white phosphorus incendiary shells on residential buildings in southern Lebanon, raising serious concerns about civilian harm and breaches of international law.

The HRW report specifies that there was no direct evidence of burn injuries but noted accounts of possible respiratory damage. Critics argue that the use of white phosphorus in populated areas constitutes a grave violation of international law, while Israel asserts that its use was purely for creating smokescreens and not for targeting civilians.

The white-hot substance, known to cause severe burns and ignite buildings, poses significant risks, even from minor burns. The HRW report is supported by interviews with eight Lebanese residents and geolocated images showing shell impacts in five towns along the Lebanon-Israel border. The HRW has called for the International Criminal Court to investigate these claims, urging other nations to act swiftly. Meanwhile, the conflict has resulted in over 400 deaths in Lebanon and displaced thousands.