Israel used white phosphorus bombs during an operation in southern Lebanon in October, The Washington Post reports.
A Post journalist found remnants of 155mm shells in one village near the border with Israel, which residents said set four homes on fire. According to the report, nine Lebanese were wounded in the operation.
Exclusive: A Washington Post analysis of shell fragments shows Israel used U.S.-supplied white phosphorus in an attack that a rights group says should be investigated as a war crime. https://t.co/w1JuBjkgYe
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) December 11, 2023
The shells in question release white phosphorus that burns at high temperatures and provides a white screen for troop movement, but is very dangerous if it comes into contact with its skin and can even be fatal.
White phosphorus can be used to mask movements on the ground, especially when dropped from the air, and can also be used as an incendiary weapon. The use of white phosphorus is restricted under Protocol III to the Convention on Conventional Weapons. Israel is not a signatory to Protocol III (only the first and second), and in 2013 pledged not to use white phosphorus in populated areas, with only two exceptions revealed to the High Court of Justice.
In response to the newspaper, the IDF said that the use was made to create smoke screens and not to harm civilians. According to the statement, the use of weapons "is consistent with and exceeds the requirements of international law."
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