The Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Monday said that the Israeli army has unlawfully used white phosphorus munitions over homes on March 3 in the town of Yuhmur al-Shaqif in southern Lebanon.
The HRW verified and geolocated seven photographs showing white phosphorus shells exploding in the air over a residential area of the town, and Civil Defense workers extinguishing fires in at least two houses and one car in the area.
Lebanon researcher at the HRW, Ramzi Kaiss, said: “The Israeli military’s unlawful use of white phosphorus over residential areas is deeply troubling and will have devastating consequences for civilians. The burning effects of white phosphorus can cause death or severe injuries leading to lifelong suffering.”
Kaiss added: “Israel should immediately cease this practice, and countries that supply Israel with weapons, including white phosphorus munitions, should immediately suspend military aid and arms sales and pressure Israel to stop firing these munitions into residential areas.”
According to the HRW report, white phosphorus is a chemical substance released by artillery shells, bombs, and rockets, and it ignites upon exposure to oxygen.
The HRW also identified the distinct shape of the smoke cloud resulting from the aerial explosions in the photograph as being identical to the knuckle-like shape produced by the firing and detonation of a 155mm M825 artillery shell containing white phosphorus.
