What is White Phosphorus?

Amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia, the Human Rights Watch has accused Israel, led by Benjamin Netanyahu, of “unlawfully” using white phosphorus over residential areas of a town in southern Lebanon.

What is White Phosphorus?

• According to the World Health Organization, white (or yellow) phosphorus is a waxy solid ranging from white to yellow in colour with a garlic-like odour.
• It ignites spontaneously in air at temperatures above 30°C and burns until it is fully oxidized or deprived of oxygen.
• Burning phosphorus produces dense white smoke containing phosphorus oxides, which can cause irritation.

Military Uses
White phosphorus is used in the military for:

• Illumination of battlefields
• Creation of smokescreens
• Incendiary effects in grenades and artillery shells

Industrial Uses

• Production of phosphoric acid and phosphates
• Manufacture of fertilizers and detergents
• Used historically in rodenticides and fireworks

Health Effects

• White phosphorus is highly toxic to humans through all exposure routes.
• It can cause:
  • Severe deep burns on skin contact
  • Tissue penetration due to its high lipid solubility
  • Slow-healing injuries and potential systemic toxicity

Legal Status Under International Law

• White phosphorus is not classified as a chemical weapon under the Chemical Weapons Convention because its effects are incendiary rather than chemical action on life processes (Article II.2).
• However, its use may violate Protocol III of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons if:
  • It is deliberately used as an incendiary weapon directly against civilians or in civilian areas.

Key Point

• While battlefield uses such as illumination or smokescreens are not prohibited, targeting civilians with white phosphorus is considered a violation of international humanitarian law.

Source: WHO