HRW Accuses Israel of Unlawful White Phosphorus Use in Lebanon

Human Rights Watch accused the Israeli military on Monday of unlawfully firing white phosphorus munitions over residential areas in the southern Lebanese village of Yohmor on March 3, 2026, hours after issuing evacuation orders to residents.

The New York-based organization released a report detailing its verification of seven images that show artillery-delivered white phosphorus exploding in midair above homes in the village. The images, geolocated to Yohmor, depict the distinctive smoke patterns from M825-series 155mm projectiles, which contain the incendiary substance. Civil defense teams were later photographed extinguishing fires in at least two homes and a car in the area, likely caused by phosphorus-impregnated fragments.

The strike occurred several hours after Israel's Arabic-language military spokesperson, Avichay Adraee, issued a warning at 5:27 a.m. that day. The directive urged residents of Yohmor and about 50 other villages and towns in southern Lebanon to evacuate immediately and move at least 1,000 meters away to open land. Human Rights Watch could not confirm whether civilians remained in Yohmor at the time of the attack or if anyone was injured.