The international rights organization Human Rights Watch has accused Israel of illegally using white phosphorus munitions during military operations in Lebanon, raising concerns about potential violations of international humanitarian law.
According to the group, evidence gathered from videos, photographs, and witness accounts suggests that white phosphorus shells were used in populated areas of southern Lebanon during recent exchanges of fire between Israeli forces and the militant group Hezbollah.
White phosphorus is a chemical substance that ignites when exposed to oxygen and produces intense heat and thick smoke. While it can be legally used in warfare for purposes such as creating smoke screens or marking targets, international law prohibits its use in ways that could harm civilians, particularly in densely populated areas.
Human Rights Watch said its investigators documented several incidents where the munition appeared to fall near civilian homes, agricultural land, and public spaces. The organization warned that exposure to white phosphorus can cause severe burns, respiratory damage, and long lasting environmental harm.
The group called on Israel to immediately stop using the weapon in populated areas and urged an independent investigation into the incidents. It also asked governments supplying weapons to Israel to review whether their military support could contribute to violations of international law.
Israeli officials have previously said that their military operations comply with international law and that any weapons used are deployed in accordance with legal and operational guidelines. The Israeli military has not yet publicly responded to the latest accusations.
The allegations come as cross border tensions between Israel and Hezbollah continue to escalate, with repeated airstrikes, rocket attacks, and artillery exchanges along the Israel Lebanon border, raising fears of a wider regional conflict.
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