Human rights group Human Rights Watch has said it verified evidence indicating the use of incendiary weapons over residential areas in southern Lebanon amid intensifying conflict in West Asia. The organisation reported that the Israeli military unlawfully used artillery-fired white phosphorus munitions over homes on March 3, 2026, in the town of Yohmor.
According to Human Rights Watch, investigators verified and geolocated seven images that appear to show airburst white phosphorus munitions deployed above a residential neighbourhood. The images also showed civil defence personnel responding to fires that broke out in at least two homes and one vehicle in the affected area.
Ramzi Kaiss, Lebanon researcher at Human Rights Watch, described the alleged use as extremely alarming and said it could have severe consequences for civilians. He stated that the incendiary effects of white phosphorus can cause fatalities and serious injuries that may lead to long-term suffering.
White phosphorus is a chemical substance used in certain artillery shells, bombs and rockets that ignites upon contact with oxygen. It can start fires in buildings, farmland and other civilian infrastructure. Under international humanitarian law, the use of airburst white phosphorus in populated areas is widely regarded as indiscriminate and inconsistent with obligations to minimise civilian harm.
Militaries use white phosphorus for purposes such as generating smoke screens, marking targets, signalling or attacking enemy personnel and equipment. However, when used as an airburst munition, it disperses dozens of burning fragments over a wide area—often spanning more than a hundred metres—raising the risk of harm to civilians and civilian structures compared to more localised ground detonations.
Human Rights Watch said it examined an image shared on social media on the morning of March 3 that appeared to show at least two artillery-fired white phosphorus rounds detonating mid-air above a residential neighbourhood in Yohmor. The organisation said the visible smoke pattern resembled the distinctive formation associated with M825-series 155mm artillery projectiles, which are known to contain white phosphorus.
The allegations surfaced as the Israel Defense Forces issued evacuation warnings to residents in parts of Beirut’s southern suburbs, including areas controlled by Hezbollah, signalling a potential escalation in operations. An Israeli military spokesperson urged civilians in several districts to leave and move toward safer areas, and shared maps marking zones identified for evacuation, according to Reuters.
Similar accusations were raised in 2023, when Human Rights Watch alleged that Israel used white phosphorus munitions during operations in Gaza and along the Lebanon border. At that time, the organisation said it verified videos showing airburst munitions and gathered witness accounts, while the Israeli military denied the allegations.
