Human Rights Watch accuses Israel of using white phosphorus in Lebanon

NEW YORK, March. 10 (YPA) – Human Rights Watch, on Monday, accused the Israeli occupation of using white phosphorus incendiary weapons in attacks on the town of Yahmor in southern Lebanon, as part of the war with Hezbollah that erupted early last week.

In a report, the organization said that “the Israeli army unlawfully used white phosphorus” in an artillery attack on homes in the town of Yahmor on March 3, according to Agence France-Presse.

It should be noted that white phosphorus munitions, a substance that ignites upon contact with oxygen, are used to create a smokescreen and illuminate the battlefield, in addition to using them as a weapon capable of causing fatal burns, respiratory and organ failure, and sometimes death in humans.

The Human Rights Watch report explained that the organization verified and geolocated seven photographs showing white phosphorus munitions exploding in the air above a residential area, while civil defense teams dealt with at least two fires in homes in the town, in addition to a car fire.