Human Rights Watch says the Israeli military unlawfully fired artillery shells containing white phosphorus over homes in Yohmor, a town in southern Lebanon, on March 3, 2026.
As the conflict in West Asia intensifies, Human Rights Watch has confirmed the use of incendiary weapons over residential areas in southern Lebanon.
The rights group said the Israeli military unlawfully fired artillery shells containing white phosphorus over homes in the southern Lebanese town of Yohmor on March 3, 2026.
Human Rights Watch stated that it verified and geolocated seven images showing airburst white phosphorus munitions being deployed above a residential area of the town. The images also show civil defense teams responding to fires that broke out in at least two homes and a vehicle in the area.
Ramzi Kaiss, a Lebanon researcher at Human Rights Watch, said the Israeli military’s alleged use of white phosphorus over residential areas is deeply concerning and could have severe consequences for civilians.
“The Israeli military’s unlawful use of white phosphorus over residential areas is extremely alarming and will have dire consequences for civilians,” he said.
Kaiss added that the incendiary effects of white phosphorus can lead to death or severe injuries that may cause lifelong suffering.
What is White Phosphorus?
White phosphorus is a chemical substance used in artillery shells, bombs, and rockets that ignites when it comes into contact with oxygen. It can spark fires in homes, farmland, and other civilian infrastructure.
Under international humanitarian law, the use of airburst white phosphorus in populated areas is considered indiscriminate and does not meet the legal obligation to take all feasible precautions to protect civilians.
White phosphorus has several military applications, including creating smoke screens, marking targets, signaling, or attacking enemy forces and equipment. However, its deployment in populated areas has raised serious humanitarian concerns. When released as an airburst munition, it disperses around 116 burning felt wedges soaked in the chemical over a wide area – typically between 125 and 250 meters in diameter – depending on the height and angle of the burst. This wide spread increases the risk of harm to civilians and civilian structures compared with a more localized ground explosion.
Two Artillery-Fired Munitions Observed
Human Rights Watch said it verified and geolocated an image posted on social media on the morning of March 3 that appears to show at least two artillery-fired white phosphorus munitions exploding mid-air above a residential neighborhood in the southern Lebanese town of Yohmor. The organisation noted that the smoke pattern visible in the image resembles the distinctive “knuckle” formation created by the expelling and bursting charges of the M825-series 155mm artillery projectile, which is known to contain white phosphorus.
Evacuation Warning
The allegations come amid heightened tensions after Israel warned residents to leave Beirut’s southern suburbs, including areas controlled by Hezbollah, on Thursday. In what could signal a significant escalation in Israel’s campaign against the Iran-backed group, an Israeli military spokesperson urged civilians in the southern suburbs of Beirut to evacuate and move toward the northern and eastern parts of the city. The spokesperson also shared a map marking four large districts that residents were instructed to leave, according to Reuters.
Similar Allegations in 2023
Similar allegations were made about two years ago when Human Rights Watch accused Israel of using white phosphorus munitions during military operations in Gaza and Lebanon. The organisation said it verified videos recorded in Lebanon and Gaza on October 10 and 11, 2023, which appeared to show multiple airburst artillery shells dispersing white phosphorus over the Gaza City port and two rural areas along the Israel–Lebanon border. Human Rights Watch also interviewed two individuals who described an attack in Gaza. However, the Israel Defense Forces denied the allegations at the time.