According to Human Rights Watch, Israel used white phosphorus in Gaza and Lebanon

Human Rights Watch has confirmed Israel’s use of white phosphorous munitions in Gaza and Lebanon, raising concerns for the safety of civilians due to the risk of serious and long-term injury.

Israel uses white phosphorus munitions in its military operations against Gaza and Lebanon, a Human Rights Watch report said Thursday, warning that the use of these weapons puts civilians at risk of serious and long-term injury.

The US-based human rights group said it verified videos taken in Lebanon on October 10 and in Gaza on October 11, which show “multiple bursts of white phosphorus fired by artillery over the port Gaza City and two rural areas along the Israeli-Lebanese border.

The U.S.-based human rights group said it verified videos taken in Lebanon on October 10 and Gaza on October 11, which show “multiple bursts of white phosphorus fired by artillery over the port Gaza City and two rural areas along the Israeli-Lebanese border.

She provided links to two videos posted on social media that she said showed “155mm white phosphorus artillery projectiles being used, apparently as smoke screens, marking or signaling.”

The correspondent of The New Arab Gaza witnessed the use of white phosphorus on Wednesday.

Evidence from the ground, including eye witness reports from Palestinians in Gaza, and numerous photos and videos like the one below, strongly indicate apartheid Israel is using white phosphorus in heavily populated civilian areas in Gaza.#GazaUnderAttack #StopIsraeliGenocide pic.twitter.com/uBCc3mKTnG

— BDS movement (@BDSmovement) October 12, 2023

In recent days, Palestinian television channels have broadcast videos showing thin plumes of white smoke in the Gaza sky, caused, they say, by these munitions.

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry also claimed that Israel had used phosphorous bombs in its attacks on populated areas in the besieged Gaza Strip.

Asked about the allegations, the Israeli military said it was “currently not aware of the use of weapons containing white phosphorus in Gaza,” in comments provided to Reuters.

Israel relentlessly bombs the Gaza Strip. UN experts and leading human rights groups have criticized the indiscriminate nature of the bombings.

The military campaign, which was launched after Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel on Saturday, killing around 1,300 Israelis, has already killed 1,537 Palestinians, including at least 500 children, and injured more than 6,612.

White phosphorus is considered an incendiary weapon under Protocol III of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons.

This protocol prohibits the use of incendiary weapons against military targets located among civilians.

Translated by: AFPS

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