Human Rights Watch and the International Human Rights Clinic (IHRC) at Harvard Law School have published one report Wednesday documented 23 confirmed incidents of Israeli use of white phosphorus munitions in southern Lebanon between March and May 2026, urge calls on the international community to take action to develop new regulations for these “devastating weapons”.
Bonnie Docherty, senior arms advisor at HRW and lecturer at the IHRC, explains the key concerns and explains:
White phosphorus ammunition can cause excruciating burns physically for lifepsychological and socioeconomic damage. Countries should condemn the continued use of white phosphorus munitions, call for further international discussions on the issue, and ensure that international law adequately addresses the unacceptable human cost of these weapons.
The report explains Protocol III to the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW)which was adopted in 1980 regarding incendiary weapons. This document prohibits the use of these air-dropped weapons in “crowds of civilians,” but through its definitions and specific focus on air-dropped weapons, the Convention raises concerns about “gaps” in the protection of civilians.
To address these concerns, experts are focusing on the Martens clause. This is an important provision in international humanitarian law that ensures the protection of civilians Customary international lawPrinciples of humanity and imperatives of public conscience in situations where there is no specific treaty on the subject. Where weapons do not meet these standards, targeted legal protection measures are required.
With regard to the principles of humanity, the report addresses how white phosphorus violates the standards of humane treatment of others and respect for human life and dignity. Reported injuries associated with white phosphorus include deep burns, sometimes to the bone; respiratory damage; organ failure; and severe eye irritation. The burns are described by doctors as “one of the most painful injuries a person can sustain.” Additionally, treatment of these injuries requires extensive care and long-term care, including surgery and psychological support. This process is described as “one of the most complex, time-consuming and costly undertakings in rehabilitation medicine.”
For Commandments of public conscienceThe report draws on the perspectives of governments, non-governmental organizations and others to highlight common moral guidelines. The statements quoted contain strong language such as “terrible”, “terrible” and “cruel” as well as expressions of deep concern about the apparent lack of legal consequences for the indiscriminate use of white phosphorus against civilians.
In summary, the experts emphasize that current protective measures are inadequate and that countries are putting the issue on the agenda of the UN General Assembly Disarmament meeting which will take place during the month of October 2026.
The use of these weapons by Israeli forces is a long-documented problem. For example, Amnesty International has done this before published Evidence of his deployment along Lebanon’s southern border in October 2023. They have that too reported about his mission in the Gaza Strip. HRW has already called for more general, stronger regulation of incendiary weapons in November 2024.
White phosphorus is a chemical ignites immediately in combination with oxygen. A single projectile can cause the chemical to fall over an area between 125 and 250 meters and burn there for days or even weeks.
