Use of White Phosphorus by Israel

Context: According to Media Reports, the USA is concerned with  Israel’s use of White Phosphorus in its offensive against Hamas and Hezbollah.

Israel used U.S.-supplied white phosphorus in the Lebanon attack

• 9 civilians were injured in an Israeli attack in southern Lebanon using what appeared to be US-supplied white phosphorus. 
• Remnants of three artillery rounds with serial numbers showed they were made in the United States.
• Lebanon said that Israel’s use of the weapon in “repeated” attacks had burned 40,000 olive trees.

About White Phosphorus

• It is a chemical waxy solid substance with an odor resembling garlic.
• Properties: It is either colorless or has a yellow tinge to it.
  • It is flammable in contact with oxygen.
  • Once ignited, it is very difficult to extinguish. It sticks to surfaces like skin and clothing.
• Risk: White phosphorus is harmful by all routes of exposure.
  • It can cause deep and severe burns, penetrating even through bone, and has been known to reignite after initial treatment.
  • The smoke also harms the eyes and respiratory tract due to phosphoric acids and phosphine.
• Application: Used by militaries to illuminate battlefields, generate a smokescreen and act as an incendiary.

Legal status

• It falls under the regulations of Protocol III of the CCW (Convention on Chemical Weapons) when used as an incendiary weapon and not for chemical warfare
  • Violation of the convention will be considered only if it is used, on purpose, as an incendiary weapon directly against humans in a civilian setting (urban area/ residential area).
  • Breaching of these legal principles can lead to global condemnation, investigations, and potential prosecution for war crimes.

News source: Livemint