Human Rights Watch has alleged that the Israeli military violated international law by deploying white phosphorus munitions over a residential village in southern Lebanon during recent combat operations.
In an investigation published Monday, March 9, 2026, Human Rights Watch (HRW) accused the Israeli military of the “unlawful” use of airburst white phosphorus munitions over residential areas in the southern Lebanese town of Yohmor. HRW reported verifying and geolocating eight images from March 3 showing the incendiary substance being deployed over inhabited neighborhoods, where civil defense teams subsequently responded to fires in homes and vehicles.
While the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) issued evacuation orders for Yohmor and 50 other villages that same morning, HRW researcher Ramzi Kaiss asserted that “the Israeli military’s unlawful use of white phosphorus over residential areas is extremely alarming and will have dire consequences for civilians,” noting that “the incendiary effects of white phosphorus can cause death or cruel injuries that result in lifelong suffering.” The IDF, which has historically maintained that its use of the substance as a smoke screen complies with international law, stated it was “currently unaware and cannot confirm use of shells that contain white phosphorus in Lebanon as claimed” during its ongoing “focused raids” against Hezbollah infrastructure.