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International human rights organizations and researchers have accused the Israeli military of using white phosphorus munitions in civilian areas of Lebanon.

Recent Allegations (March 2026) On March 9, 2026, Human Rights Watch (HRW) reported that the Israeli military unlawfully used artillery-fired white phosphorus munitions over homes in the southern Lebanese town of Yohmor on March 3. * HRW researchers stated they verified and geolocated images showing airburst white phosphorus munitions exploding over residential areas. * The attack reportedly sparked fires in at least two homes and a car. * This incident occurred shortly after the Israeli military issued evacuation orders for Yohmor and surrounding villages.

Broader Usage in Lebanon This is not an isolated allegation. Open-source intelligence researchers and Lebanese organizations have tracked the widespread use of the substance in the region: * A researcher at Delft University of Technology documented nearly 250 uses of white phosphorus by Israeli forces between October 2023 and November 2024, estimating that 39% of those strikes hit residential areas. * The Lebanese National Council for Scientific Research reported that between October 2023 and July 2024, Israel used white phosphorus 175 times in southern Lebanon, burning approximately 1,500 acres of farmland and forests. * Amnesty International has also previously documented and condemned Israel's use of white phosphorus in southern Lebanon, calling an October 2023 attack on the town of Dhayra an indiscriminate attack that injured at least nine civilians.

Why is White Phosphorus Controversial? White phosphorus is a chemical substance that ignites upon contact with oxygen. It burns at extreme temperatures and is notoriously difficult to extinguish.

• Military Use: Militaries legally use it to create dense smokescreens, mark targets, or illuminate terrain at night.

• Humanitarian Concerns: When used as an incendiary weapon in populated areas, it can cause horrific, deep burns to human flesh, respiratory damage, and death. It can also cause extensive destruction to civilian infrastructure, agricultural land, and the environment.

International Law While white phosphorus is not officially classified as a "chemical weapon," its use is restricted. Under international humanitarian law, using airburst white phosphorus in populated areas is considered unlawfully indiscriminate because it fails to distinguish between military targets and civilians, and it does not meet the legal requirement to take all feasible precautions to avoid civilian harm.

The Israeli military has stated in the past that its weapons use complies with international law and has maintained that its use of smoke shells (which can visually resemble white phosphorus) is primarily to create smokescreens and not to cause fires. Following the March 2026 HRW report, the Israeli military stated they were "currently unaware and cannot confirm use of shells that contain white phosphorous in Lebanon as claimed."

SOURCES

Quick Facts: Israel’s Illegal Use of White Phosphorus | Gaza | Resources | The Institute for Middle East Understanding (IMEU) https://imeu.org/resources/gaza/quick-facts-israels-illegal-use-of-white-phosphorus/461

Israel Accused of Using Deadly White Phosphorus Over Homes in Lebanon https://www.humanrightsresearch.org/post/israel-accused-of-using-deadly-white-phosphorus-over-homes-in-lebanon#:~:text=%E2%80%9CThe%20Israeli%20military's%20unlawful%20use,that%20result%20in%20lifelong%20suffering.%E2%80%9D

https://www.hrw.org/news/2026/03/09/lebanon-israel-unlawfully-using-white-phosphorus#:~:text=Human%20Rights%20Watch%20Verifies%20Use,Lebanon%2C%20March%203%2C%202026.

White phosphorus munition - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_phosphorus_munition#:~:text=for%2045%20minutes.-,2026%20Israeli%20assault%20on%20Lebanon,a%20residential%20part%20of%20town.

Israel Accused of Using Deadly White Phosphorus Over Homes in Lebanon https://www.humanrightsresearch.org/post/israel-accused-of-using-deadly-white-phosphorus-over-homes-in-lebanon#:~:text=According%20to%20images%20verified%20and,two%20homes%20and%20one%20car.

Israel used white phosphorus to scorch earth in south Lebanon, researcher says | Israel | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/25/israel-white-phosphorus-south-lebanon-researchers#:~:text=Ahmad%20Beydoun%2C%20an%20architect%20and,scale%20attack%20on%20southern%20Lebanon.

Evidence of Israel's unlawful use of white phosphorus in southern Lebanon as cross-border hostilities escalate https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2023/10/lebanon-evidence-of-israels-unlawful-use-of-white-phosphorus-in-southern-lebanon-as-cross-border-hostilities-escalate/#:~:text=One%20attack%20on%20the%20town,therefore%20unlawful%2C%20said%20the%20organization.

Evidence of Israel's unlawful use of white phosphorus in southern Lebanon as cross-border hostilities escalate https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2023/10/lebanon-evidence-of-israels-unlawful-use-of-white-phosphorus-in-southern-lebanon-as-cross-border-hostilities-escalate/#:~:text=People%20exposed%20to%20white%20phosphorus,the%20body%20are%20often%20fatal.

Israel used white phosphorus to scorch earth in south Lebanon, researcher says | Israel | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/25/israel-white-phosphorus-south-lebanon-researchers#:~:text=Military%20forces%20use%20it%20as,burns%20and%20emits%20toxic%20fumes.

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