The Washington Post (WP) revealed in an exclusive published Monday that it had uncovered credible evidence that the white phosphorus munitions, which can cause severe burns to human skin and respiratory tracts, used by Israel in an October attack on Dheira, Lebanon were manufactured in the US.
Investigative journalists with WP found three remnants of white phosphorus shell casings, which indicated that two of the munitions had been made in Arkansas and that one had been made in Louisiana. WP and Amnesty International also reviewed videos of bombs landing in Dheira with distinctive white phosphorus smoke ribbons, further verifying the use of white phosphorus munitions in the attack. According to residents of Dheira, the shelling lasted for hours, with residents unable to leave their homes until 7 am the next day. Multiple locals also reported respiratory symptoms that began due to the smoke created by the white phosphorus. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) told WP that it only used white phosphorus to create a smokescreen. However, the Dheira attacks largely took place at night. WP verified that Israel possesses the safer M150 artillery rounds that also produce a smokescreen but do not use white phosphorus, which ignites when it comes into contact with oxygen.
Israel has at times denied its use of white phosphorus, telling Reuters in October, days after the shelling in Dheira, that accusations it used white phosphorus in Gaza were “false.” However, in 2012, Israel stated it did use white phosphorus but legally. Human Rights Watch (HRW) and Amnesty have both claimed to have found credible evidence that Israel has used white phosphorus in Lebanon and Gaza during the Israel-Hamas war, which began in early October.
The use of incendiary munitions is governed by the Protocol on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Incendiary Weapons. While the Protocol does allow for the use of incendiary munitions in some circumstances, it prohibits their use on civilians, on military targets in areas with large numbers of civilians or to target plant cover. Both HRW and Amnesty have claimed that Israel used white phosphorus munitions in largely civilian areas, potentially amounting to a war crime.
The majority of white phosphorus munitions produced in the US are made at the Pine Bluff Arsenal in Pine Bluff, Arkansas according to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. The Pine Bluff Arsenal munitions production plant was originally built as part of the US Army’s Chemical Warfare Service during World War II. The plant then went on to produce biological weapons, such as weaponized anthrax, until 1969 when biological weapons were banned by then-President Richard Nixon. The plant subsequently began producing smoke bombs, incendiary devices, pyrotechnic devices and chemical defense clothing.
The current Israel-Hamas war began on October 7 when Hamas initiated several attacks on Israel. Shortly after the attacks, Israel declared war on Hamas and began heavily bombing the Gaza Strip. Both Israel and Hamas have been accused of multiple war crimes throughout the conflict. A deal was reached between Israel and Hamas in late November for a humanitarian pause, which was later extended but has since ended. The Gaza Health Ministry has alleged that the death toll in Gaza has reached 15,200, mostly women and children, while the Israeli government has stated that Israeli casualties have surpassed a thousand, with hundreds additionally abducted by Hamas.
