Israel has once again been accused of using white phosphorus weapons, an extremely harmful incendiary substance, on densely populated areas of Lebanon during its conflict against Hezbollah. The use, denounced by experts and humanitarian organizations such as Human Rights Watch, was also documented by the New York Times, which collected and verified video evidence in which the characteristic smoke trails of this type of munition were observed most recently on May 30 in Nabatieh, a city of around 40,000 inhabitants, while Israeli forces conquered Beaufort Castle.
White phosphorus is a chemical component characterized by the fact that it burns very violently when exposed to air and other external elements. Due to its pyrotechnic characteristics it has found a wide range of uses in the military field, but the serious side effects that it can cause, from extremely painful wounds that do not heal to death, have also led to its use being regulated at an international level. In this context, the repeated accusations made against the State of Israel of having used white phosphorus ammunition in Lebanon (and beyond) must be treated with the utmost seriousness.
Israel’s latest accusations over the use of white phosphorus munitions in Lebanon
Already on 9 March 2026, a few days after the start of the Iranian War and the reopening of the Lebanese front, previously frozen albeit in a very precarious manner after the 2023-2024 fighting, Human Rights Watch accused the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) of having used ammunition loaded with white phosphorus against populated areas of southern Lebanon.
In particular, the non-governmental organization, which deals with the defense of human rights at a global level, has published photos relating to at least two attacks carried out by Israeli artillery in the area of the village of Yohmor. Apparently the targets were buildings located in residential areas.
Also last May 30th, as documented and verified by New York Timesin Nabatieh, during the conquest of Beaufort Castle by Israeli forces, was deployed in an area populated by approximately 40,000 people.
These represent only the latest in a long series of accusations made over time against the State of Israel, which allegedly used white phosphorus ammunition also in past conflicts that took place on Lebanese soil, but also during the series of wars fought around Gaza. Since these are geographically well delimited areas and characterized by a notable density of civilian population, the casual use of such weapons in these contexts can be considered a war crime.
Why these weapons are prohibited in inhabited areas: the effects
Starting from the First World War until today, white phosphorus has had a plurality of uses in the war sector, from tracer projectiles to smoke grenades, passing through illuminating projectiles and without forgetting actual incendiary devices. Precisely its use as an incendiary weapon during the conflicts of the Cold War, in particular the Vietnam War, paved the way for its inclusion in the group of chemical weapons but not all countries of the international community have implemented this classification.
It is an extremely toxic substance for humans and which at room temperature can react with oxygen extremely violently, igniting. There is ample photographic evidence of the devastating wounds that white phosphorus can cause once it comes into contact with the skin and subcutaneous tissues of people, however to date it has not been possible to set up any type of effective international initiative aimed at obtaining its prohibition on a planetary scale, while underlining the ban on its use in areas characterized by a massive presence of civilian populations.
In addition to the State of Israel, other countries have also been accused of having used and continue to use white phosphorus improperly, occasionally or systematically, in a myriad of conflicts (not least the Russo-Ukrainian War.
