Human Rights Watch on Monday accused Israel of using incendiary white phosphorus in attacks on the town of Yahmar in southern Lebanon as part of the war with Hezbollah that erupted early last week.
In a report, the rights organization said the Israeli army had “unlawfully used white phosphorus” in an artillery attack on homes in the town on March 3.
White phosphorus munitions are highly flammable substances that ignite upon contact with oxygen. They are often used to create smoke screens or illuminate battlefields, but they can also function as weapons capable of causing severe burns, respiratory failure, organ damage, and sometimes death.
Human Rights Watch stated that it verified seven images and geolocated them, showing white phosphorus munitions exploding in the air over a residential area. Civil defense teams reportedly dealt with at least two house fires in the town, in addition to a vehicle catching fire.
In recent years, the Lebanese government and Human Rights Watch have repeatedly accused the Israeli military of using white phosphorus in attacks in southern Lebanon. Lebanese authorities have said such attacks caused environmental damage and harm to residents.
Meanwhile, Lebanon’s official National News Agency reported that the Israeli army shelled the border villages of Tal Nahas and Khiam, including artillery strikes using phosphorus munitions.
AFP
