'Extremely alarming': Human rights body says Israel 'unlawfully' used white phosphorus in Lebanon; warns of 'lifelong consequences'

Visuals from attack on Lebanon

• HRW: Israel used white phosphorus in Lebanon.
• Images show airburst munitions over homes in Yohmor on March 3.
• White phosphorus in populated areas breaches humanitarian law.

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As hostilities continue to intensify in West Asia, Human Rights Watch has reported evidence that incendiary weapons were used over a populated area in southern Lebanon.

The organisation said the Israel Defense Forces deployed artillery shells containing white phosphorus above homes in the town of Yohmor on March 3, 2026. According to Human Rights Watch, seven images were verified and geolocated that appear to show airburst white phosphorus munitions exploding over a residential neighbourhood.

The images also show civil defence teams responding to fires that broke out in at least two houses and one car in the area.

Ramzi Kaiss, Lebanon researcher at Human Rights Watch said, “The Israeli military’s unlawful use of white phosphorus over residential areas is extremely alarming and will have dire consequences for civilians.”

He further elaborated, “The incendiary effects of white phosphorous can cause death or cruel injuries that result in lifelong suffering.”

White phosphorus is a chemical compound used in certain artillery shells, rockets, and bombs. It ignites immediately upon contact with oxygen and can trigger fires in homes, agricultural land, and other civilian infrastructure.

International humanitarian law considers the use of airburst white phosphorus in populated locations to be indiscriminate, as it does not meet the obligation to take all feasible precautions to minimise harm to civilians.

Human Rights Watch said it reviewed a social media image posted on the morning of March 3 that appears to capture at least two artillery-fired white phosphorus rounds bursting in the air above Yohmor’s residential area.

The organisation noted that the smoke pattern in the image resembles the distinctive “knuckle” formation produced by the expelling and bursting charges of the M825-series 155mm artillery projectile, which is known to contain white phosphorus.

Human Rights Watch had earlier raised similar allegations against Israel regarding the use of white phosphorus during military operations in Gaza and Lebanon about two years ago. At the time, the Israeli Defence Forces rejected those accusations.