Israel used white phosphorus over Lebanon's populated areas

1 min readUpdated June 6, 2026

Experts, aid organizations, and visual evidence gathered by The New York Times indicate that the Israeli military has dropped white phosphorus over civilian-populated parts of Lebanon as part of its campaign against Hezbollah.

Social media footage verified by The Times captured what appeared to be white phosphorus smoke trails over Nabatieh — a city of around 40,000 residents — on May 30, the most recent confirmed incident, occurring during the Israeli military's seizure of Beaufort Castle. Separately authenticated video placed the substance's use near Tyre on the Lebanese coast and around the small towns of Qlayaa, Khiam, and Yohmor, with all incidents occurring after hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah reignited in March, The Times reported.

According to The New York Times, joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran triggered a Hezbollah rocket barrage into northern Israel, which set off the current round of fighting.

When air reaches white phosphorus, the substance catches fire on its own and resists efforts to put it out. Armies have long relied on the substance to produce smoke screens and fires on the battlefield. While international law does not ban white phosphorus outright, its use against or near civilian populations crosses a line under the laws of war, according to The Times. Aid and rights organizations have expressed alarm over evidence suggesting civilians bore the effects of its deployment in Lebanon.

What military objective the Israeli forces were pursuing when they deployed white phosphorus in each case remains unknown. The Israeli government has maintained, according to The New York Times, that its use of the substance has not broken international law.

Visual evidence points to Israeli white phosphorus use in populated Lebanese areas

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