The Israeli military has used white phosphorus - a chemical that causes severe burns and respiratory problems – in civilian areas of Lebanon during its ongoing offensive in the south of the country, according to new analysis.
A New York Times investigation of footage published Saturday found that the chemical had been used in several areas of southern Lebanon, including around major cities Tyre and Nabatieh, in recent weeks.
White phosphorus is typically used create smokescreens and illuminate battlefields but can also be deployed as an incendiary weapon due to burning at extreme temperatures.
The munitions are not generally prohibited, but their use in populated areas is illegal due to their indiscriminate nature, likely placing Israel in violation of international law.
Broadcast footage recorded the use of munitions with a distinctive smoke trail in the town of Arnoun last week, as Israeli forces moved to seize the nearby Beaufort castle . The Times also verified footage of its use near the Shia-majority towns of Khiam and Yohmor, and the Christian village of Qlayaa.
Munitions experts who analysed the imagery concluded that it showed shells releasing burning phosphorus after detonating in mid-air.
Rights monitor Human Rights Watch has also documented the use of white phosphorus during the current round of the fighting, reporting in March that Israel had unlawfully used the chemical in Yohmor.
The Israeli military denied using white phosphorus in its smoke-screen projectiles.
Israeli forces launched a large-scale invasion of southern Lebanon in March after Hezbollah began firing rockets across the border following the US-Israel attack on Iran.
It has conducted round-the-clock bombing of Shia-majority areas and depopulated swathes of the south. Most of the Shia towns close to the Israeli border have been levelled after being captured by Israeli forces, including Khiam and Yohmor. What is white phosphorus? White phosphorus is a solid chemical fired from artillery shells and bombs that burns when it comes into contact with oxygen.
The chemical burns at more than 800 degrees Celsius, emitting clouds of thick smoke that are used for tactical purposes by militaries.
The intense heat inflicts severe burns when it comes into contact with people and can trigger days-long fires on the ground, destroying buildings and damaging land. The smoke can cause permanent damage to the eyes and internal organs if inhaled.
While the chemical can be used on the ground, military forces often detonate the munitions in the air, spreading the toxic chemical over a wider area. This makes their use especially dangerous in populated areas. Israel and white phosphorus The Israeli military has been known to use white phosphorus since at least the 2008-09 war in Gaza where the chemical was dropped on densely-populated neighbourhoods in violation of international law.
Human Rights Watch documented the use of around 200 munitions during the three-week conflict, causing dozens of civilian casualties.
Though it pledged to stop its use in 2013, Israel has deployed the chemical in Lebanon since the war with Hezbollah erupted following 7 October attack in 2023.
A 2024 report by HRW documented its widespread use in Lebanon. The rights group verified its deployment in at least 17 municipalities between October 2023 and June 2024 and urged the Israeli military to immediately stop its use.
In December 2023, The Washington Post reported that some of the munitions being used in south Lebanon were supplied to Israel by the US.