The international human rights organization Human Rights Watch claims that it has evidence of Israel using white phosphorus in during the bombing of the Gaza Strip and Lebanon on October 10 and 11.
HRW cites video footage and eyewitness accounts showing white streaks in the sky over Gaza. The organization is convinced that these are 155-mm artillery shells with white phosphorus, the use of which is dangerous for the civilian population.
HRW reports this on its website.
Human Rights Watch says it reviewed the video and confirmed that it was filmed at the Gaza City port and determined that the ammunition used in the strike was 155mm white phosphorus artillery shells. Other videos posted on social media and reviewed by Human Rights Watch show the same location. Dense white smoke and the smell of garlic are characteristic of white phosphorus, HRW says.
Human Rights Watch also cites two videos filmed on October 10 from two locations near the Israel-Lebanon border. Each of them depicts 155-mm artillery shells containing white phosphorus, which are apparently used as smoke screens.
Human rights activists say that the use of white phosphorus in Gaza increases the risk to civilians and violates international humanitarian law. This substance ignites on contact with oxygen, producing thick white smoke. Its use in crowded areas can be extremely dangerous. White phosphorus is not prohibited by international law, but due to its harmful effects on humans, its use is strictly regulated.
Earlier this week, Human Rights Watch, commenting on the situation in Israel and the Gaza Strip, announced war crimes on both sides .
In turn, the Israeli military told Reuters that “at present they are not aware of the use of weapons containing white phosphorus in the Gaza Strip.”
Recall that the UN has received information that Israel has ordered residents of the northern part of the Gaza Strip to move to the south of the enclave within 24 hours.
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