Human Rights Watch (HRW) has alleged that the Israeli military used ‘white phosphorus’ in artillery attacks unlawfully launched on residential homes in the southern Lebanese town of Yohmor.
The allegation was made in a press release published on HRW’s website on Monday.
It stated that the attack was carried out last Tuesday. Human Rights Watch verified and geolocated eight images, confirming the use of white phosphorus in a residential area of the town.
Ramzi Kaiss, a Lebanon researcher at Human Rights Watch, said, “This unlawful use of white phosphorus by the Israeli military in a residential area is extremely alarming and will have grave consequences for civilians. The incendiary nature of white phosphorus can cause death or inflict such horrific injuries that result in a lifetime of suffering.”
White phosphorus is a highly toxic and flammable substance, waxy and nearly colorless, which ignites upon contact with oxygen.
It can set fire to homes, agricultural land, and other civilian structures.
Under international law, the use of airburst white phosphorus in populated areas is completely prohibited.
Human Rights Watch claims that on Tuesday morning at 5:27am, Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee issued a directive ordering residents of Yohmor and 50 other villages to immediately leave their homes and move to open areas at least one thousand meters away. He subsequently broadcast the same directive again at 12:12pm.
However, Human Rights Watch could not confirm whether anyone was injured as a result of the white phosphorus used that day.
The organization has called on Israel to prohibit the use of artillery-delivered white phosphorus in populated areas.
It has also called on countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany to suspend military aid and arms sales to Israel and to impose targeted sanctions on officials involved in serious crimes.
