Human Rights Watch: Israel Used White Phosphorus Munitions in Lebanon Attack

(Patria) - Human Rights Watch (HRW) announced today that the Israeli army illegally used white phosphorus munitions in the town of Yohmor in southern Lebanon.

The international non-governmental organization stated that its researchers reached this conclusion after verifying and geolocating seven videos showing white phosphorus munitions exploding in the air over a residential area of the town on March 3.

White phosphorus is highly toxic and creates clouds of phosphorus pentoxide, which then reacts with moisture in the air or in human lungs to form phosphoric acid. The substance reacts violently with oxygen, which can cause it to ignite and start fires on targets after deployment.

Armies can use white phosphorus to screen operations and it is not listed as a chemical weapon under the Chemical Weapons Convention, but its use against people in civilian environments is considered a violation of Protocol III of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons.

"The illegal use of white phosphorus by the Israeli army over residential areas is extremely concerning and will have severe consequences for civilians," said Ramzi Kaiss, Lebanon researcher at Human Rights Watch, in a statement.

Human Rights Watch has previously accused the Israeli army of using white phosphorus munitions in Gaza and Lebanon, which the Israeli army has denied.