Hezbollah rockets that landed in Israel possibly contained deadly white phosphorus

If this is true, this would be the first time that Hezbollah has used white phosphorus.

 White phosphorus fired by Israeli army to create a smoke screen, is seen on the Israel-Lebanon border in northern Israel, November 12, 2023.  (photo credit: EVELYN HOCKSTEIN/REUTERS)
White phosphorus fired by Israeli army to create a smoke screen, is seen on the Israel-Lebanon border in northern Israel, November 12, 2023.
(photo credit: EVELYN HOCKSTEIN/REUTERS)
Two mortar shells that were fired by Hezbollah from Lebanon into the Metulla area last week are suspected to have contained white phosphorus, according to Israeli media reports on Wednesday.

The reports say that after the mortars landed, the explosions led to a big fire and even engulfed part of the road that they hit.

If this is true, this would be the first time that Hezbollah has used white phosphorus.

White phosphorus can be legally used in some situations

White phosphorus munitions can be legally employed on the battlefield for purposes such as producing smoke screens, generating illumination, marking targets, or causing the ignition of bunkers and buildings.

Hezbollah members hold flags marking Resistance and Liberation Day, in Kfar Kila near the border with Israel, southern Lebanon, May 25, 2021 (credit: REUTERS/AZIZ TAHER)Enlrage image
Hezbollah members hold flags marking Resistance and Liberation Day, in Kfar Kila near the border with Israel, southern Lebanon, May 25, 2021 (credit: REUTERS/AZIZ TAHER)

Under Protocol III of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons, white phosphorus is classified as an incendiary weapon. This protocol explicitly prohibits the use of incendiary weapons against military targets located in areas with civilian populations, such as Metulla, where the mortars landed. However, it is important to note that Hezbollah has not ratified the protocol and is not obligated by its provisions.

Hezbollah and the IDF have been regularly trading fire since the outbreak of the war.

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