White Phosphorus Used in Gaza by IDF

Human Rights Watch confirmed today that white phosphorus is being used in the ongoing conflict against Hamas in Gaza and Lebanon. They warn that it poses grave risks to civilians in populated areas. Human Rights Watch verified videos taken in Lebanon and Gaza on October 10 and 11, 2023.

The IDF (Israel Defense Forces) has been in intense conflict with Hamas.

Per Human Rights Watch, White Phosphorus can be used for either marking, signaling, and obscuring or as a weapon to set fires that burn people and objects. It has a significant incendiary effect on people and sets anything in the vicinity. The director or Human Rights Watch in the Middle East and North Africa, Lama Fakih, said, "Any time that white phosphorus is used in crowded civilian areas, it poses a high risk of excruciating burns and lifelong suffering. White phosphorus is unlawfully indiscriminate when airburst in populated urban areas, where it can burn down houses and cause egregious harm to civilians."

White phosphorus ignites when exposed to atmospheric oxygen and continues to burn until it is deprived of oxygen or exhausted. The chemical reaction can create intense heat at about 815°C, or 1,500°F, light, and smoke. It can cause devastating effects to human skin upon contact.

More information is available here: https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/10/12/israel-white-phosphorus-used-gaza-lebanon