United News of Bangladesh

Human Rights Watch reported Monday that the Israeli military “unlawfully” targeted a village in southern Lebanon with white phosphorus shells, a controversial incendiary weapon. By geolocating and verifying seven images, the group said Israel fired white phosphorus artillery at residential areas in the village of Yohmor. The strikes occurred hours after the Israeli military warned residents of Yohmor and dozens of other southern Lebanese villages to evacuate. Human Rights Watch could not independently confirm whether anyone remained in the area or if civilians were harmed. Israeli helicopters conduct overnight raid deep in Lebanon The Israeli military did not immediately respond to requests for comment. In previous statements, it has said white phosphorus is used as a smoke screen and not to target civilians. Human rights experts say using white phosphorus in populated areas violates international law. The chemical can ignite buildings and burn human flesh down to the bone, leaving survivors at risk of infection or organ and respiratory failure, even from minor burns. Ramzi Kaiss, a Lebanon researcher at Human Rights Watch, said, “The Israeli military’s unlawful use of white phosphorus over residential areas is extremely alarming and will have dire consequences for civilians.” Groups including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International noted that Israel also used white phosphorus repeatedly during its last war with Hezbollah over a year ago in southern Lebanon while civilians were still present.