<div dir="ltr">
<div class="gmail-top-anchor"></div>
<div id="gmail-toolbar" class="gmail-toolbar-container">
<span name="selected"></span>
</div>
<div class="gmail-container" lang="en-EN" dir="ltr">
<div class="gmail-header gmail-reader-header gmail-reader-show-element">
<a class="gmail-domain gmail-reader-domain" href="https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/nyt-investigation-tracks-israeli-phosphorus-attacks-in-leban">english.almayadeen.net</a>
<div class="gmail-domain-border"></div>
<h1 class="gmail-reader-title">NYT investigation tracks Israeli phosphorus attacks in Lebanon</h1>
<div class="gmail-credits gmail-reader-credits">Al Mayadeen English</div>
<div class="gmail-meta-data">
<div class="gmail-reader-estimated-time">June 7, 2026</div>
</div>
</div>
<hr>
<div class="gmail-content">
<div class="gmail-moz-reader-content gmail-reader-show-element"><div id="gmail-readability-page-1" class="gmail-page"><p>While
militaries often claim it is used to generate smoke screens, its
deployment over populated areas has long been criticized because of the
severe injuries and fires it can inflict.</p><div><ul id="gmail-content-slick-0"><div aria-hidden="false"><li>
<a href="https://alpha-en-media.almayadeen.net/media/image/2026/6/7/f81134ae-d483-486d-b1e0-12e9aa42b477.jpg?width=1000" tabindex="0"><img src="https://alpha-en-media.almayadeen.net/media/image/2026/6/7/f81134ae-d483-486d-b1e0-12e9aa42b477.jpg?width=1000&preset=w750" alt="white phosphorus" class="gmail-moz-reader-block-img"></a>
A white phosphorus shell from Israeli artillery explodes
over a road leading to Chamaa village, as it is seen from Tyre city,
South Lebanon, Friday, March 27, 2026 (<em>AP</em>)
</li></div></ul>
<p>Fresh evidence pointing to the Israeli military's use of white
phosphorus in Southern Lebanon has renewed accusations that the
occupation is deliberately targeting civilian communities and
agricultural lands in an effort to devastate the region's social and
economic fabric.</p>
<p>An investigation by <em>The New York Times</em> documented multiple incidents in which <a href="https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/iof-aggression-continues-with-artillery--phosphorus-on-south">white phosphorus munitions</a>
were deployed over areas in Southern Lebanon, including Nabatieh, Tyre,
Qlayaa, Khiam and Yohmor, during the latest phase of aggression on the
country.</p>
<p>Verified footage reviewed by munitions experts reportedly showed
artillery shells dispersing burning phosphorus over wide areas, a tactic
that has repeatedly drawn condemnation from human rights organizations
due to its devastating impact on civilians, farmland, and the
environment.</p>
<h2>Border communities under attack</h2>
<p>The reported attacks come amid continued Israeli aggression against
Lebanon, particularly its southern areas, where residents have endured
repeated bombardment, displacement, and destruction.</p>
<p>White phosphorus <a href="https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/washpo-says--israel--used-white-phosphorus-against-lebanon">ignites upon contact with oxygen</a>
and continues burning at extremely high temperatures. While militaries
often claim it is used to generate smoke screens, its deployment over
populated areas has long been criticized because of the severe injuries
and fires it can inflict.</p>
<p>Weapons specialists cited in the report concluded that the footage
was consistent with the use of US-made M825A1 artillery rounds, which
release dozens of phosphorus-coated wedges over a large area after
exploding in midair.</p>
<p>The dispersal pattern can ignite homes, forests, crops and civilian property wherever the burning fragments land.</p>
<h2>Human rights groups document harm</h2>
<p>Rights organizations have repeatedly documented the effects of white phosphorus attacks in Lebanon.</p>
<p>A 2024 report by Human Rights Watch questioned "Israel's" continued
use of the substance despite the availability of alternative
smoke-producing munitions that pose fewer risks to civilians.</p>
<p>"The harm that white phosphorus causes is horrific," said Bonnie
Docherty, a senior arms advisor at Human Rights Watch. "It inflicts
burns that can penetrate to the bone."</p>
<p>She added that the smoke generated by the substance "causes severe
respiratory damage and organ failure. Wounds can reignite when bandages
are removed, and remnants of the substance are exposed to oxygen."</p>
<p>Human rights advocates argue that the repeated use of such munitions
near civilian communities cannot be separated from their foreseeable
consequences, including displacement, environmental destruction and
long-term health risks.</p>
<h2>Agricultural devastation and environmental damage</h2>
<p>Lebanese authorities have repeatedly raised concerns before the
United Nations regarding "Israel's" use of white phosphorus in the
South.</p>
<p>Official complaints submitted to international bodies cite hundreds
of fires linked to the attacks, many of which have damaged agricultural
land, forests and civilian property.</p>
<p>Experts warn that contamination may persist long after the strikes themselves.</p>
<p>"There are understudied risks with long-term exposure to its smoke,"
said Wim Zwijnenburg of the Dutch peace organization PAX. "We also know
that residents and farmers can face loss of access to their land and
they often need specialized clearance operations after."</p>
<p>For many communities in Southern Lebanon, agriculture represents a primary source of livelihood. The destruction of <a href="https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/-scorched-earth----israel--burns-south-lebanon-with-white-ph">olive groves, tobacco fields, and forested areas</a> has therefore been viewed not only as environmental damage but also as an attack on the economic resilience of border villages.</p>
<h2>'Israel' defends use of the munitions</h2>
<p>The Israeli military declined to comment on several specific
incidents identified in the investigation but maintained that its
procedures comply with international law.</p>
<p>Despite those claims, rights organizations and Lebanese officials
continue to argue that the repeated appearance of white phosphorus over
populated areas raises serious questions about <a href="https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/-israel--shelled-southern-regions-with-banned-cluster-bombs">compliance with international humanitarian law</a> and the protection of civilians.</p>
<p>The latest findings are likely to intensify calls for accountability
as Southern Lebanon continues to bear the consequences of Israeli
attacks that have left entire communities displaced and large stretches
of land scarred by fire.</p>
<p><strong>Read more: <a href="https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/iof-aggression-hits-beirut-southern-suburb-amid-us-brokered">IOF aggression on Beirut Southern Suburb: One killed, several injured</a></strong></p></div></div></div>
</div>
<div>
</div>
<div></div>
</div>
<br></div>