Amnesty International shares evidence of Israel's use of white phosphorus in Gaza

Amnesty International's Crisis Response Programme has gathered compelling evidence documenting the Israeli military's use of white phosphorus artillery shells in densely populated civilian areas of Gaza.

Videos and photos verified by Amnesty International's Crisis Evidence Lab show that Israel has been using white phosphorus in Gaza, which it has been bombing since October 7.

In a photograph of ammunition stockpiled by the Israeli military near the city of Sderot, 1 kilometer from the Gaza border—where Hamas launched its Al-Aqsa Flood Operation—M109 155 mm howitzers are visible.

The photo also shows M825 and M825A1 artillery shells, labeled with the D528 code used by the US Department of Defense for "white phosphorus-based ammunition."

The M109 howitzers stationed in Sderot, which have a range of 18-22 kilometers, place the northern half of the Gaza Strip within the Israeli military's firing range.

In recent days, videos have also been shared on social media showing the northern part of Gaza being struck by white phosphorus artillery shells.

The Crisis Evidence Lab, which verified footage of these attacks on the Gaza Port and nearby hotels from different angles, also shared satellite imagery of the strike location.

While it was noted in the video that white phosphorus ammunition was used alongside high-explosive artillery shells, it was reported that the shells released particles that emitted dense white smoke as they exploded in the air, which is consistent with the use of M825 and M825A1 artillery shells.

The location of another video shared on social media on October 11, which shows the use of phosphorus, was also identified as being near the Bank of Palestine Tower.

Amnesty International is examining additional evidence regarding the potential use of white phosphorus in northern Israel and Lebanon.

WHAT IS WHITE PHOSPHORUS?

According to international law, the smoke from white phosphorus, which is prohibited for use in densely populated civilian areas, can cause immediate lung injuries and suffocation when inhaled.

White phosphorus, which can cause persistent second and third-degree burns on the skin, ignites easily upon contact with oxygen; when used as a bomb, it causes fires in addition to its explosive effect.

Fires caused by white phosphorus bombs can spread over large areas and continue until the phosphorus in the area is exhausted.

Treatment for those exposed to white phosphorus, which enters the body through inhalation, contact, or ingestion and adheres to many surfaces, is quite difficult due to the substance's contagious nature. For this reason, those treating injuries caused by the bomb must also receive special training to protect themselves.

It is stated that periodic exposure to the substance can lead to advanced deformation of the jawbone, causing it to fracture.

WHITE PHOSPHORUS BOMBS UNDER INTERNATIONAL LAW

Under the United Nations (UN) Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW), incendiary weapon attacks from the air in civilian areas are prohibited.

However, there is no legal obstacle to using the smoke emitted by white phosphorus for purposes such as camouflaging military units in open areas.

On the other hand, debates continue regarding whether white phosphorus should be considered a war crime due to the effect and harm it inflicts on people at the moment of use.

ISRAEL HAS USED WHITE PHOSPHORUS BEFORE

Human Rights Watch, in a 2010 report on the impunity of violations of the laws of war in Gaza, stated that Israel, between December 2008 and January 2009,