Human Rights Watch: Israel Used White Phosphorus Munitions in Gaza and Lebanon

story
Image copyright: Ahmad Hasaballah/Getty Images

The Facts

  • Israel has used white phosphorus munitions in recent attacks on both Gaza and Lebanon, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in a report issued Thursday.

  • While the use of white phosphorus — a self-igniting chemical that burns at extremely high temperatures — is permitted under international law when used on battlefields, its use against a civilian population is generally considered a war crime.

Show more

The Spin

Pro-establishment narrative

White phosphorus has legitimate military uses. More details — such as the intended target of the alleged attacks as well as the accuracy of these reports — need to be established before we rush to the conclusion that Israel is committing war crimes.

Washington Post

Establishment-critical narrative

Gaza is one of the most densely populated places in the world. Israel's use of white phosphorus is clearly a war crime in this context, violating international law on unnecessarily putting civilians at risk of harm.

Human Rights Watch

Metaculus Prediction

Establishment split

CRITICAL

PRO

More neutral establishment stance articles