On Thursday, Human Rights Watch accused Israel of using white phosphorus munitions in its military operations in Gaza and Lebanon, adding the use of such weapons puts civilians at threat of serious and long-term injury.
When the Israeli military asked for comment on the allegations, the military answered that it was “currently not aware of the use of weapons containing white phosphorous in Gaza.”
It did not give any comment on the rights watchdog’s allegations of their use in Lebanon.
Israel has been bombarding Gaza in retribution for a Hamas attack in southern Israeli towns that killed at least 1,300 people this week. At least 1,500 Palestinians have been killed. Israel has also exchanged barbs with Lebanon’s Hezbollah group.
Human Rights Watch said it verified videos taken in Lebanon on October 10 and Gaza on October 11 showing “multiple airbursts of artillery-fired white phosphorus over the Gaza City port and two rural locations along the Israel-Lebanon border”.
It added that it delivered links to two videos posted on social media that it said show “155mm white phosphorus artillery projectiles being used, apparently as smokescreens, marking, or signaling”. Both show scenes near the Israel-Lebanon border.
The group did not give any links to videos showing their alleged use in Gaza. Palestinian TV channels have broadcast videos in current days showing thin plumes of white smoke lining the sky over Gaza that they say was caused by such munitions.
Reuters could not independently confirm the rights group’s accounts.
Israeli military in 2013 said it was phasing out white phosphorus smokescreen munitions utilized during its 2008-2009 attack in Gaza, which drew war offenses allegations from various rights groups.
The military at the time did not say whether it would also study the use of weaponized white phosphorus, which is designed to incinerate enemy positions.
White phosphorus munitions can lawfully be used on battlegrounds to create smoke screens, generate illumination, mark targets, or burn bunkers and buildings.
