Human Rights Watch has issued a strong condemnation of Israel for its alleged unlawful use of white phosphorus munitions in residential neighborhoods of southern Lebanon. The New York-based organization revealed that on March 3, 2026, Israeli forces deployed artillery-fired white phosphorus in the town of Yohmor, a civilian area located in the south of Lebanon. This accusation comes amid escalating violence between Israel and Hezbollah, despite a ceasefire agreement reached in 2024.
the detailed report, Human Rights Watch verified and precisely geolocated seven images that captured the deployment of airburst white phosphorus munitions over Yohmor. The visuals also showed civil defense teams actively responding to fires that broke out in at least two homes and one vehicle within the affected residential zone. This evidence highlights the direct impact of these munitions on civilian infrastructure and raises serious concerns about the safety of non-combatants in the region.
White phosphorus is a highly controversial substance due to its dual-use nature. While it can serve legitimate military purposes such as creating smoke screens or illuminating battlefields during night operations, it is also known for its incendiary properties. Upon exposure to oxygen, white phosphorus ignites spontaneously, causing severe fires and inflicting devastating injuries including deep burns, respiratory distress, organ failure, and even death. The use of such munitions in populated areas is widely regarded as a violation of international humanitarian law.
The recent surge in hostilities follows a series of attacks by Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militant group, which prompted Israel to launch multiple waves of airstrikes across Lebanon. In addition to aerial bombardments, Israeli ground forces have entered border regions, intensifying the conflict. The Israeli military has repeatedly issued warnings urging residents living south of the Litani River—approximately 30 kilometers north of the Israeli border—to evacuate the area to avoid harm. Despite these warnings, the Lebanese authorities report that at least 394 civilians have lost their lives in the ongoing Israeli strikes, with over half a million people displaced from their homes.
Ramzi Kaiss, a Lebanon researcher with Human Rights Watch, expressed grave concern over the use of white phosphorus in civilian areas. He emphasized that such actions are not only unlawful but also pose severe risks to the health and safety of innocent people caught in the crossfire. Kaiss called on Israel to immediately cease the deployment of these incendiary munitions in residential zones. Furthermore, he urged countries supplying Israel with weapons, including white phosphorus, to halt military assistance and arms sales until Israel complies with international norms and refrains from targeting civilian populations.
This is not the first time that Lebanon and human rights organizations have accused Israel of using white phosphorus in ways that endanger civilians and damage the environment. Over recent years, these allegations have been a recurring point of contention, with Lebanese officials highlighting the long-term consequences of such attacks. For instance, Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported that Israeli forces shelled the border towns of Khiam and Tal Nahas with artillery and phosphorus rounds just days ago, further exacerbating tensions in the region.
In a related environmental concern, Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun recently condemned Israel for allegedly spraying the herbicide glyphosate along the shared border, describing the act as a “crime against the environment.” These developments underscore the multifaceted nature of the conflict, which not only threatens human lives but also inflicts lasting harm on Lebanon’s natural landscape.
As the situation continues to deteriorate, the international community faces mounting pressure to intervene and ensure that all parties adhere to international humanitarian laws designed to protect civilians during armed conflict. The use of white phosphorus in populated areas remains a deeply contentious issue, highlighting the urgent need for accountability and restraint amid the ongoing hostilities between Israel and Lebanon.
