Lebanon Israel dropped white phosphorus bombs

Lebanon For the past six months, Israel has been dropping white phosphorus bombs over the southern Lebanese border. International law closely regulates the hazardous gas since it may burn the skin badly and cause injury to the eyes and lungs.

But Israeli forces say their use of these weapons against “armed militants” in Gaza and Lebanon is perfectly legal. However, human rights organizations say its use should be investigated for war crimes. The US says it will investigate whether Israel used white phosphorus in those two countries. Is Israel breaking the law by using such weapons of war so close to civilian locations? Or do they have the right to use it during war? “It comes like a white cloud. But it turns to powder as soon as it falls on the ground.” Ali Ahmed Abu Samra, a 48-year-old farmer from southern Lebanon, said that on October 19, 2023, he fell into a cloud of white smoke.

“They say it smells like garlic, but it’s worse than that. The smell was unbearable. Suarez is worse than the line.”Ali was describing a white phosphorus attack. White phosphorus burning at a temperature of 815 degrees Celsius is extremely toxic and spreads rapidly. “My eyes started to water,” said Ali of Dhira village, “If we had not covered our noses and faces with wet cloths, we might not be alive today.” The BBC has independently verified that between October 2023 and March 2024, the IDF carried out several white phosphorus attacks on at least four towns and villages. Violence also spread along the Israel-Lebanon border after the Gaza war broke out in October last year, causing casualties on both sides and displacing thousands of people.

As a close ally of Iran and an ally of Hamas, Hezbollah is not a state-controlled military but is one of the most powerful forces in the world, possessing a large arsenal of weapons.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have retaliated against Hezbollah members’ nearly daily rocket and drone attacks with aircraft and heavy missile strikes. Including white phosphorus attacks.

Navigating the Fog of War: The Complex Use of White Phosphorus in Military Strategy:

The bomb releases white phosphorous, which reacts with oxygen to form a dense layer of smoke.

It provides a kind of instant cover for soldiers fighting on the ground so that the enemy cannot perceive their position.

It is very effective and can be used as a valid military strategy in very special cases. However, according to international law, it is the responsibility of both sides to use these weapons to protect civilians during war.

 

Over the past century, practically every major army in the world has employed white phosphorous in combat.

According to the CIA, the Soviet Union made great use of it during World War II.

The US admitted to using it in Iraq in 2004, then again in 2017 against ISIS in Syria and Iraq. According to various reports, Israel used this chemical during the attack on Gaza in 2008-2009.

But the IDF said in 2013 it would “remove it very soon” when the UN said the Israeli army had “tactically abused it”.

Hezbollah fighters usually move in small groups of two or four. They use the jungle as cover and they regularly fire missiles and rockets across the border at Israeli troops on the other side. And for that reason, maybe for the Israelis, this smoke is a means of dealing with them.

Between October 10 and 19, when Ali’s village was attacked, he said that no armed group was there at that time.

“If Hezbollah was there, the villagers would have told them to leave because they didn’t want to die,” Ali stated, before continuing, “There was no Hezbollah there.”

In the Aftermath: Eyewitness Testimonies and the Dhira Attack’s Health Effects:

Khaled Karitem, a volunteer health worker, was the first to arrive after the attack in Dhira.

“We started evacuating those who were unconscious,” said Khaled. But while trying to reach the victims, the rescue workers themselves fell into the flames. “They threw three bombs, either to hinder the rescue operation or to create an atmosphere of fear,” Khaled claimed.

Khaled remembers that day he was able to take at least nine people to the Italian hospital in Tyre, one of whom was his father, Ibrahim.

Ibrahim, 65, spent three days in the hospital as a result of respiratory issues. His physician, Muhammad Mostafa, says he has dealt with several patients exposed to white phosphorus. “The patients were sweating profusely, suffocating, vomiting, and having irregular heartbeats,” said Dr. Mustafa. “They smelled like garlic. Their blood test confirmed that they were victims of white phosphorus attack.” When we visited Ibrahim three months later, his eyes were still red. Itchy spots and sores on the skin of his hands and feet. He said that the doctor told him that the reason for this was white phosphorus. “Since 1970 we have been living amid war. But never seen that. Explosion very close to the house”, said Ibrahim.

Ibrahim said he tried to escape by car when a bomb fell six meters away, while an IDF surveillance drone hovered over his head. “They were watching us, attacking randomly,” said Ibrahim.

 

“The attack in Dhaira should be investigated as a war crime, as it was a chaotic attack that injured at least nine civilians, damaged civilian installations, and was therefore illegal,” claims Amnesty International. Responding to those who testified that white phosphorus was applied “recklessly.” “IDF instructions forbid the use of white phosphorus shell smoke in densely populated regions, with very few exceptions. The strategic direction of the strike is unknown and confidential.

Proof of white phosphorus Lebanon:

Soon after the attack on Ali’s village, various reports started pouring in online about it. Initially, the Israeli forces denied the use of white phosphorus.

But later backtracking, they said they had used it “by international law.”

The professor points out that the shell is made in the United States. The US State Department said it would investigate the illegal use of its white phosphorus weapons in Lebanon.

Wearing a gas mask and full PPE, the professor analyzed the various black deposits inside the metal shell.

“It is part of a 155mm howitzer shell. Furthermore, the M825A1 here signifies that it is an American-made white phosphorus weapon, the speaker added.

When he caught fire near the black substance, it caught fire immediately.

When this stuff is burning and clinging to your flesh, you consider attempting to remove it off your clothing.” After 30 days, he said that white phosphorous was still present. The volunteer who reacted to the attack first was Khaled Karitam. She accused Israel of using it on purpose to push civilians away from the border region. “We had a wonderful rural life. They started bombing our forests with phosphorus to burn our olive trees and avocado orchards,” stated Khaled. In response, the IDF stated, “The IDF claim that civilians were removed from the Lebanese border by shelling and creating smoke.” Khaled had accused the IDF.

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