According to a report by Human Rights Watch, Israeli armed forces reportedly fired white phosphorus munitions over the residential area of Jomora, Lebanon, on March 3. The organization reviewed several photographs taken at the time of the attacks, which allegedly show exploding white phosphorus munitions above the city. Emergency service workers were also captured in the images, responding to multiple fires ignited in the area following the attacks.

In response to these allegations, the Israeli army stated that it could not confirm the use of white phosphorus munitions in Lebanon. The army emphasized that it does not use munitions containing white phosphorus over densely populated areas, with only a few exceptions. White phosphorus is notably an extremely toxic and flammable substance often employed in military operations to create smoke screens and illuminate battlefields, but it can also act as an incendiary weapon, causing fires, severe burns, respiratory damage, organ failure, and even death.

This incident raises significant concerns regarding the legal and ethical implications of using such munitions in civilian settings. The potential use of white phosphorus, particularly in areas with civilian populations, may violate international humanitarian laws designed to protect non-combatants during conflicts. As tensions continue in the Middle East, this event highlights the ongoing human rights issues and the severe consequences of military actions in populated regions, potentially sparking further international scrutiny and backlash against the involved parties.