US-Supplied White Phosphorus Used Over Lebanese Civilian Areas

What Happened

Since October 2023, the Israeli military has deployed white phosphorus munitions extensively across southern Lebanon, with attacks continuing through March 2026. The munitions include US-supplied white phosphorus shells, creating direct US complicity in attacks that Human Rights Watch has classified as unlawfully indiscriminate under international humanitarian law.

Scale of Use

A comprehensive investigation by France 24's Observers team documented 191 white phosphorus attacks across southern Lebanon, striking over 918 hectares (2,268 acres). The geographic distribution reveals the indiscriminate nature of the campaign:

• 39% of strikes hit directly over civilian areas
• 16% struck agricultural land
• Only 44% targeted uninhabited areas or areas far from residents

Human Rights Watch verified white phosphorus use in at least 17 municipalities across southern Lebanon, including five where airburst munitions were deployed directly over populated residential areas.

March 2026 Yohmor Attack

On March 3, 2026, the Israeli military fired airburst white phosphorus munitions over residential homes in the southern Lebanese town of Yohmor. HRW verified and geolocated eight images showing the attack, documenting fires in at least two homes and one car caused by the burning phosphorus. The organization classified this as unlawfully indiscriminate — airburst white phosphorus in populated areas cannot meet the legal requirement to take all feasible precautions to avoid civilian harm.

US-Supplied Munitions

The Washington Post and multiple human rights organizations have confirmed that US-supplied white phosphorus munitions were used in attacks on Lebanese border villages including Dhayra, Aita al-Chaab, and al-Mari. The United States continues to supply arms to Israel despite repeated documentation of unlawful use.

Persistent Contamination

White phosphorus leaves persistent chemical contamination. A December 2025 study documented ongoing danger from white phosphorus residue in southern Lebanese communities, posing risks to returning civilians, agricultural workers, and children.

Legal Analysis

Direct Violations by Israel

The use of airburst white phosphorus over populated residential areas violates:

• CCW Protocol III: Prohibits making civilians the object of attack with incendiary weapons and using air-delivered incendiary weapons against targets within concentrations of civilians.
• Additional Protocol I Article 51: Prohibits indiscriminate attacks not directed at a specific military objective.
• Rome Statute Article 8(2)(b)(xx): War crime of employing weapons causing superfluous injury or unnecessary suffering.

US Complicity Through Arms Transfers

The United States bears responsibility as an arms supplier:

• Arms Trade Treaty Article 6: Prohibits authorization of arms transfers when the state has knowledge the arms would be used to commit attacks directed against civilian objects. The extensive documentation by HRW, Amnesty International, and the Washington Post provides constructive knowledge.
• Customary international law: States that provide material assistance to another state knowing it will be used to commit internationally wrongful acts share responsibility under the doctrine of complicity.
• Continued supply: HRW has specifically called on the US to suspend arms transfers. The continued supply of white phosphorus munitions and other weapons after documented unlawful use strengthens the basis for complicity claims.

Why This Is Classified Extreme

• Scale: 191 attacks covering 918+ hectares, with 39% striking directly over civilian areas.
• Verified war crimes: HRW has classified multiple attacks as unlawfully indiscriminate under international humanitarian law.
• US-supplied munitions: Direct link between US arms transfers and documented unlawful attacks on civilians.
• Continuing and escalating: Attacks documented as recently as March 2026, indicating no change in practice despite international condemnation.
• Persistent harm: Chemical contamination poses ongoing risks to civilian populations long after strikes.
• ICC jurisdiction: The situation is within ICC jurisdiction, creating potential liability for both Israeli and US officials.

International Law Violations

1. CCW Protocol III (Incendiary Weapons): Use of white phosphorus over populated areas violates restrictions on incendiary weapons.
2. Additional Protocol I Article 51: Indiscriminate attacks on civilian areas.
3. Additional Protocol I Article 35: Methods of warfare causing superfluous injury.
4. Rome Statute Article 8(2)(b)(xx): War crime of using weapons causing unnecessary suffering.
5. Arms Trade Treaty Article 6: US supply of weapons with knowledge of unlawful use.