A New York Times investigation has revealed that the Israeli military used white phosphorus over populated areas in Lebanon, a move that raises concerns over violations of the laws of war and causing severe harm to civilians.
اضافة اعلان
Visual evidence and video footage gathered by The New York Times in collaboration with The Times showed that the Israeli military deployed white phosphorus—a highly destructive incendiary substance—over populated areas in Lebanon during its battle against Hezbollah.
Video footage, including a clip by Reuters, was verified documenting the distinctive smoke plumes of this substance over cities and towns such as Nabatieh (population 40,000), the coastal city of Tyre, and the towns of Kleiaa, Khiam, and Yohmor, in the months following the resumption of fighting in March.
White phosphorus ignites spontaneously upon exposure to air and is exceptionally difficult to extinguish. While militaries typically use it to create fires and smoke screens—and it is not illegal in itself—its deliberate deployment against civilians or in populated areas violates international laws of war, sparking concerns among human rights activists regarding its direct impact on civilians.
Munitions experts who analyzed the footage concluded that the images show U.S.-made 155mm M825A1 artillery shells bursting in mid-air, releasing streams of burning phosphorus. These shells consist of 116 felt wedges coated with the incendiary agent, designed to produce thick smoke for 5 to 10 minutes, but they cause widespread fires wherever they land.
The Israeli military did not comment on the specific incidents and coordinates presented by the newspaper. It limited its response to a statement denying any violation of laws, noting that its procedures prohibit the use of these shells in densely populated areas. The military also claimed that its primary smoke-screen shells do not contain phosphorus, though it acknowledged possessing shells that do, which are used solely to create smoke screens rather than for targeting or starting fires, maintaining that they are not considered incendiary weapons under the law.
This usage has raised significant health and environmental concerns. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and experts from Human Rights Watch (HRW), white phosphorus causes severe burns that can penetrate to the bone, along with serious respiratory damage that can lead to organ failure. Wounds can also reignite when bandages are removed and exposed to oxygen. Furthermore, experts warned that its effects persist in water and soil for long periods, causing severe damage to forests and agricultural lands, thereby preventing farmers from accessing their fields and requiring specialized decontamination operations. (The New York Times)
