The World Health Organization (WHO) has received reports regarding the alleged use of white phosphorus munitions by Israel during its military operations in Lebanon and will continue to investigate the situation.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that Abdinasir Abubakar, the WHO representative in Lebanon, made these remarks during a press briefing in Geneva.
"We have received these reports and have been in contact with hospitals. At this stage, we have not received any specific data regarding injuries caused by phosphorus or other chemical agents in the recent past. We are currently investigating and monitoring the situation to identify any such cases," Abubakar noted.
On March 6, sources within the Lebanese armed forces claimed that the Israeli Air Force utilized phosphorus-containing shells during strikes on residential settlements in southern Lebanon. These allegations were further supported on March 9, when Human Rights Watch issued a statement confirming that the Israeli military had deployed white phosphorus munitions in the southern regions of the country.
White phosphorus is a chemical substance that ignites upon contact with oxygen, creating intense heat and thick smoke. While it can be used legally in military operations for signaling or creating smokescreens, its use in civilian areas is strictly prohibited under international humanitarian law due to the severe, deep burns and long-term respiratory damage it causes. The WHO and other international bodies continue to monitor the humanitarian impact of the ongoing conflict along the Lebanese-Israeli border to ensure compliance with global health and safety standards.
