White phosphorus is one of the most terrifying substances used in modern warfare. It ignites on contact with air, burns at extremely high temperatures, produces thick smoke, and can cause severe injuries to skin, eyes, lungs, homes, fields, forests, soil, and water. Its use is permitted in some military contexts, especially to create smoke screens, but its deployment near civilians raises grave humanitarian and legal concerns.
A New York Times visual investigation examined evidence of white phosphorus use in Lebanon during fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. Verified videos and expert analysis showed distinctive smoke trails in several areas, including populated zones. Israel has denied illegal use and says its rules restrict the weapon in densely populated areas, but human-rights advocates warn that white phosphorus is difficult to control once deployed.
Bonnie Docherty of Human Rights Watch described the harm directly: “The harm that white phosphorus causes is horrific.” The danger does not end when the smoke clears. White phosphorus can set homes, fields, cars, and trees on fire, and residues may remain in soil and water. This makes its use not only a battlefield issue, but a long-term public-health, agricultural, ecological, and humanitarian crisis.