Israel is using white phosphorous over civilian homes in Lebanon, Human Rights Watch has warned.
The organisation said it had verified and geolocated seven images showing airburst white phosphorus munitions being deployed over a residential part of the town and civil defense workers responding to fires in at least two homes and one car in that area.
The white-hot chemical substance can set buildings on fire and burn human flesh down to the bone. Survivors are at risk of infections and organ or respiratory failure, even if their burns are small.
“The Israeli military’s unlawful use of white phosphorus over residential areas is extremely alarming and will have dire consequences for civilians,” said Ramzi Kaiss, Lebanon researcher at Human Rights Watch.
“The incendiary effects of white phosphorous can cause death or cruel injuries that result in lifelong suffering.”
Meanwhile, Iran has elected Mojtaba Khamenei as its new leader, more than a week after his father was killed in an airstrike.
The 56-year-old was chosen to become the next supreme leader on Sunday evening, despite Donald Trump’s insistence that he should have a say in the appointment.
