Human Rights Watch accuses Israel of using white phosphorus munitions in Gaza, Lebanon

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has accused Israel of using white phosphorus during its military operations as Israeli forces bomb the coastal strip of Gaza and trade fire with Lebanese troops.

Researchers from the nongovernmental organization said in a Thursday post they verified the use of white phosphorous, a toxic chemical, in Lebanon and Gaza on Oct. 10 and Oct. 11.

The group said it reviewed videos allegedly showing “multiple airbursts of artillery-fired white phosphorus” over the port in Gaza and in two rural locations around the Israel-Lebanon border.

The Hill has reached out to Israel Defense Forces for comment. In an interview with CNN, Lt. Col. Peter Lerner, a spokesperson for the IDF, denied the reports.

“Categorically, no,” he said.

White phosphorous, a wax-like chemical substance that ignites when encountering oxygen, is usually not considered a chemical weapon, but human rights groups regularly criticize its use in warfare.

The chemical causes severe toxic burns and easily sets structures on fire, which HRW says increases the risk of civilian casualties.

Lama Fakih, the Middle East and North Africa director at HRW, said in a statement published by the organization that “any time that white phosphorus is used in crowded civilian areas, it poses a high risk of excruciating burns and lifelong suffering.”

“White phosphorous is unlawfully indiscriminate when airburst in populated urban areas, where it can burn down houses and cause egregious harm to civilians,” Fakih said.

HRW said it interviewed two people who described conditions consistent with the use of white phosphorous, including white streaks in the sky.

White phosphorus is not banned or classified under the chemical weapons convention because it can be used for legitimate military reasons on the battlefield, including smoke screens.

But like all other weapons, militaries are prohibited from using it to target civilians. And the United Nations has specifically restricted air-fired incendiary weapons on civilian areas.

Israel began bombing Gaza — home to more than 2 million Palestinians — after the militant group Hamas, which controls Gaza, invaded southern Israel and killed more than 1,400 people.

The responsive bombing attacks have already killed more than 1,500 people in Gaza, and Israel on Friday ordered the evacuation of more than 1 million residents of the coastal enclave as it prepares for a ground invasion.

Israeli troops this week have also been firing at Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant group, at the border in northern Israel.

HRW has documented Israel’s use of white phosphorous in the past and has long called for the military to stop using it. Israeli officials have said they would stop deploying it with some exceptions and have yet to ban its use.

Updated: 12:22 p.m.