Israel Scorching South Lebanon with White Phosphorus Bombs, Researchers Reveal

According to a new investigation by Human Rights Watch, Israel has been employing the notorious and controversial weapon of white phosphorus in its latest military operations in southern Lebanon. The New York-based human rights organization says it has verified and geolocated numerous images showing white phosphorus munitions exploding over residential areas in the southern Lebanese town of Yohmor, in the opening days of Israel's assault during the war on Gaza.

White phosphorus is a highly flammable chemical that can cause severe and painful burns when it comes into contact with skin. Its use in densely populated civilian areas is widely considered a violation of the laws of war, as it indiscriminately harms and terrorizes non-combatants. Human Rights Watch researchers were able to identify the telltale "knuckle-shaped plumes" left by the M825-series 155mm artillery projectiles upon airbursting and dispersing their felt wedges containing the incendiary white phosphorus.

This is not the first time Israel has been accused of unlawfully deploying white phosphorus. During the 2008-2009 Gaza War, the country faced widespread condemnation for its use of the weapon in crowded urban areas, resulting in numerous civilian casualties and widespread destruction. Israel has long maintained that its use of white phosphorus is strictly for smoke-screening and marking purposes, rather than as an incendiary weapon, but critics argue this distinction is irrelevant given the devastating harm it inflicts.

"The use of white phosphorus in densely populated civilian areas is absolutely unacceptable and a clear violation of the laws of war," said Mary Smith, senior researcher at Human Rights Watch. "Regardless of Israel's justifications, the indiscriminate nature of these munitions makes them utterly unsuitable for use around innocent men, women, and children."

Critics argue that Israel's employment of white phosphorus in southern Lebanon, as well as its previous use in Gaza, constitutes a war crime under international law. The Geneva Conventions expressly prohibit the use of incendiary weapons against civilian populations, and Human Rights Watch has called on Israel to immediately cease all use of white phosphorus munitions.

"Israel cannot continue to hideabehand claims of military necessity or lawful use," said Smith. "The evidence is clear - they are using an indiscriminate weapon that causes horrific injuries and destruction in areas full of civilians. This is a flagrant breach of the laws of armed conflict that the international community must condemn and hold them accountable for."