Israel attacks Lebanon, following an escalation between Hezbollah and Israel amid the conflict between the US and Israel with Iran
The Israeli army illegally used white phosphorus munitions on homes in the southern Lebanese city of Yohmor on March 3, posing a threat to civilians, Human Rights Watch said in a report released on Monday.
“The incendiary effects of white phosphorus can cause death or serious injuries resulting in lifelong suffering,” Ramzi Kaiss, Lebanon researcher at Human Rights Watch, said in a statement.
The human rights group said it had verified eight images showing white phosphorus being used in a residential area of Yohmor, as well as civil defense teams working to fight fires in the region.
Reuters was unable to independently verify the group’s conclusions.
The Israeli army told Reuters it was unaware of and could not confirm the use of projectiles containing white phosphorus in Lebanon. It added that it had not reviewed the same videos as HRW and therefore could not comment on the allegations.
Lebanese authorities have not commented.
In a statement released early on March 3, the Israeli army ordered the evacuation of residents of Yohmor and 50 other towns and cities.
Reuters had previously reported that Lebanese farmers were testing the soil to determine whether they could resume planting following Israel’s alleged use of white phosphorus in 2023.
In July 2024, the Lebanese National Council for Scientific Research stated that there had been 175 Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon using white phosphorus since October 2023, many of which set fires that affected more than 600 hectares (1,480 acres) of agricultural land.
White phosphorus munitions can legally be used on battlefields to create smoke screens, generate lighting, mark targets or set fire to bunkers and buildings.
HRW stated that under international humanitarian law, the use of white phosphorus dropped by air over populated areas is illegal.
White phosphorus is considered an incendiary weapon under Protocol III of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons. The protocol prohibits the use of incendiary weapons against military targets located in civilian areas, although Israel has not signed it and is not bound by it.
Nearly 400 people have been killed and hundreds of thousands forced to leave their homes due to Israeli attacks that have hit Lebanon for more than a week.
HRW had previously accused Israel of using white phosphorus during the 2023 Israeli operations against Lebanon, an accusation the Israeli military denied at the time.
Originally published by Reuters on 03/10/2026
Reporting: Pesha Magid
Editing: Philippa Fletcher
Source: https://www.ocafezinho.com/2026/03/10/human-rights-watch-israel-tem-usado-fosforo-branco-ilegalmente-no-libano/
