Proven that Israel used white phosphorus in Lebanon

In a written statement made by Amnesty International, it was stated that Israel’s attack on the Lebanese city of Dahayra on October 16, “without discrimination against civilians”, should be investigated as a war crime because it was illegal.

The statement notes that at least 4 civilians and 48 Hezbollah members have been killed so far in Israel’s bombing of Lebanon.

Recalling that the use of white phosphorus is limited by international humanitarian law, the following statements were made:

“Although they have legal uses, they should never be fired near civilian settlements or civilian infrastructure due to the high possibility of the fire and smoke it causes spreading. “These attacks, which do not distinguish between civilians and civilian objects and between combatants and military objectives, are indiscriminate and are therefore prohibited.”

IMAGES AND PHOTOS THAT CONFIRM THE USE OF WHITE PHOSPHORUS

The statement said white phosphorus, an incendiary substance often used to create a dense smoke screen and mark targets, reaches extremely high temperatures when exposed to air and often causes fires in the area where it is dropped.

While white phosphorus was reported to cause terrible injuries to people, including respiratory damage, organ failure and burns that are extremely difficult to treat and cannot be extinguished with water, it was emphasized that the use of this weapon often has fatal consequences, even if it affects only 10 percent of the body.

It claimed that evidence examined by Amnesty International showed that Israel used white phosphorus in its attacks on Dahayra, an area where civilians live, and said: “Amnesty International’s Crisis Evidence Laboratory confirmed videos and photographs showing that it was used. white phosphorus bullets in Dahayra on October 16.” .” Information was included.

The statement states that investigators affiliated with the organization met with the mayor of Dahayra, as well as a resident of the city, a first responder and an emergency doctor who worked at the hospital where the injured civilians were treated, to confirm this. .

The team gathered compelling evidence showing that white phosphorus was also used in the attacks on Dahayra and the border towns of Al-Mari and Aita al-Chaab from October 10 to 16; It was noted that he confirmed the videos and photographs of these attacks.

WITNESSES OF THE WHITE PHOSPHORUS USED BY ISRAEL

In the statement, Haitham Nisr, an emergency doctor at the Italian Lebanese Hospital, was quoted as saying that on October 16 and 17, medical teams treated 9 people with complaints of difficulty breathing and cough in the cities of Dahayra, Yarine and Marwahin . , and that these people inhaled white phosphorus.

Ali Safiyeddin, director of the Civil Defense Department in the city of Sur, reportedly told Amnesty International that they had received reports of “bombs that produce an extremely unpleasant smell and cause suffocation when inhaled” and that many people in the region were hospitalized for suffocation.

Safiyeddin said: “We couldn’t even see our hands because of the dense white smoke that covered the city all night and lasted until the morning of October 17.” He stressed that his statements were “consistent with the definition of white phosphorus.”

In the statement, Dahayra Mayor Abdullah al-Ghrayyeb stated that white phosphorus began to be used around 4:00 p.m. local time on October 16 and said:

“A very bad smell and a huge cloud covered the town, so much so that we could not see more than 5-6 meters in front of us. This situation caused people to flee their homes in panic. When some of them returned two days later, their houses were still burning. The cars caught fire. Areas of land were also burned. “To this day, you can still find fist-sized remains that re-ignite when exposed to air.”

Amnesty International’s Crisis Evidence Laboratory was noted to have analyzed video recorded by a resident in his backyard on October 25, which showed an embedded layer of white phosphorus re-igniting when hit with a rock.

The statement highlighted that white phosphorus can re-ignite when exposed to oxygen even weeks after use.

The statement stated that white phosphorus should never be used in areas where civilians live and added: “This attack, which injured civilians and damaged civilian property in Kendiyra, is an indiscriminate attack and therefore illegal. “This should be investigated as a war crime.” The statement was emphasized.

The statement reported that Amnesty International also confirmed the videos taken in Dahayra on October 10 and 13, which show the use of white phosphorus.

“ISRAEL’S USE OF WHITE PHOSPHORUS IS HORRIBLE”

Aya Majzou, the Organization’s deputy regional director for the Middle East and North Africa, whose views were included in the statement, said:

“The indiscriminate use of white phosphorus by the Israeli military in violation of international humanitarian law is appalling. “The illegal use of white phosphorus in the Lebanese city of Dahayra on October 16 seriously endangered the lives of civilians, many of whom were hospitalized and displaced, and whose homes and cars caught fire.”

Underlining his concern about the escalation of conflicts in southern Lebanon, Majzou recalled Israel’s commitment to end the use of white phosphorus weapons in 2013.

Majzou said: “The Israeli army should immediately stop the use of white phosphorus, especially in densely populated areas. “It must remain true to its commitment and stop further endangering the lives of civilians in Lebanon.” he stated.

WHITE PHOSPHORUS WAS USED IN TWO MORE REGIONS

It was noted that the organization analyzed videos showing that Aita El-Chaab and El-Mari, towns near the border region, were also bombed with white phosphorus.

The statement indicated that 2 videos taken around El Mari on October 10 also showed the use of white phosphorus.

A video and five photographs were reportedly found showing that Israeli forces used a mixture of white phosphorus bullets and standard high-explosive artillery shells in their attack on Aita El-Chaab on October 15.

WHITE PHOSPHORUS OF USA ORIGIN

It was noted that in photographs taken by an AFP journalist near the Lebanese border on October 18, 155mm white phosphorus smoke bullets were seen lined up to be used alongside the Israeli army’s “M109” howitzers.

The photographs highlight that the ammunition in question also bears the labels “M825A1” and “D528”, which are used by the US Department of Defense Identification Code for “white phosphorus-based ammunition.”

IT WAS ALSO USED IN GAZA

Amnesty International confirmed that Israeli military units attacking Gaza were equipped with white phosphorus artillery shells and stated: “White phosphorus causes horrific suffering and life-changing injuries and cannot be extinguished with water. “That is why white phosphorus should never be used in civilian areas.” He had warned.

Photographs taken by an AA photojournalist were among evidence documented by Amnesty International that the Israeli military used white phosphorus artillery shells in densely populated civilian areas of Gaza.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) announced that Israel used white phosphorus in its military operations in Gaza and Lebanon.

“Israel has used white phosphorus in its military operations in Gaza and Lebanon, putting civilians at risk of serious and long-term injuries,” HRW said in a statement. The statement was included. (AA)