Israel accused of using white phosphorus on residential buildings in Lebanon

The Israeli military has repeatedly used white phosphorous in Lebanon in recent months, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said Wednesday, adding to concerns of war crimes by the Israeli military in the region since the onset of its war against Hamas.

HRW said it was able to confirm the use of white phosphorous in 17 municipalities across Lebanon since October, including at least five where it was used illegally in areas heavily populated by civilians.

White phosphorous, a waxlike chemical substance that ignites when encountering oxygen, is usually not considered a chemical weapon, but human rights groups regularly criticize its use in warfare.

The chemical causes severe toxic burns and easily sets structures on fire, which HRW says increases the risk of civilian casualties.

“Israel’s use of airburst white phosphorus munitions in populated areas indiscriminately harms civilians and has led many to leave their homes,” HRW researcher Ramzi Kaiss said in a statement. “Israel forces should immediately stop using white phosphorus munitions in populated areas, especially when less-harmful alternatives are readily available.”

The Lebanese Ministry of Health reported 173 injuries as of last week attributed to white phosphorous exposure since October, HRW said. The group could not confirm the figure.

Exposure to white phosphorous can cause direct burns, as well as short- and long-term respiratory damage.

The use of incendiary weapons on civilian populations is barred by Protocol III of the Convention on Conventional Weapons, of which Lebanon is a signatory but Israel is not.

It is not the first time that HRW has accused the Israeli military of using white phosphorous. In October, days after the Israel-Hamas war began, the group accused the Israelis of using white phosphorous in two instances in Lebanon and Gaza.

The Israeli military denied its use at the time, and did not immediately respond to a Wednesday request for further comment.

Later in October, Amnesty International also claimed the Israeli military used white phosphorous in Lebanon, wounding civilians.

White House national security spokesman John Kirby said in December that the Biden administration is “concerned” over the Israeli use of white phosphorous, but noted that it does have “legitimate military utility.”

HRW encouraged Israel to stop the use of white phosphorous in populated areas, and urged the Lebanese government to file for a declaration from the International Criminal Court (ICC) over Israel’s conduct. 

“Stronger international standards against the use of white phosphorus are needed to ensure these weapons do not continue to endanger civilians,” Kaiss said. “Israel’s recent use of white phosphorus in Lebanon should motivate other countries to take immediate action toward this goal.”

The ICC is already investigating Israel for alleged war crimes in Gaza, and a court prosecutor has recommended that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as the leaders of Hamas and other Israeli leaders, be arrested. The House voted Tuesday for new sanctions against the ICC in protest of the recommendation. 

The Israeli military has clashed with Hezbollah in Lebanon for months as Israel continues its offensive in Gaza. Small-scale border clashes have kept tensions in the region high as the U.S. hopes to avoid the Israel-Hamas war becoming a larger conflict in the Middle East.