Human Rights Watch on Thursday accused Israel of using white phosphorus weapons in its military operations in Gaza and Lebanon, saying the use of such weapons risks serious and long-term injury to civilians.

Asked for comment, Israel’s military said it was “not currently aware of the use of weapons containing white phosphorus in Gaza.” It did not comment on the rights watchdog’s allegations of their use in Lebanon.

Israel is carrying out punitive bombing raids on Gaza in response to Hamas’ attack last weekend. At least 1,500 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli air strikes. Israel has also done business with Lebanon’s Hezbollah group.

Human Rights Watch said it verified videos taken in Lebanon on October 10 and Gaza on October 11, which showed “multiple air strikes of white phosphorus fired from artillery at the Gaza City port and two rural locations along the Israel-Lebanon border “Are visible.

It provided links to two videos posted on social media, saying “155 mm white phosphorus artillery projectiles were being used, apparently as a smokescreen, marking or signaling”. It says both show scenes near the Israel-Lebanon border.

What is white phosphorus?

White phosphorus is a chemically complex and highly flammable weapon used to create smoke screens, create fires, and mark targets. It can cause burns to the human body and other damage to property.

Since Gaza is a densely populated area, its use could pose a greater threat to human life.

Lama Fakih, Middle East and North Africa director at Human Rights Watch, said, “Whenever white phosphorus is deployed in densely populated civilian areas, it presents a significant risk of painful burns and lasting suffering to the population. Aerial spraying of white phosphorus in urban areas is indiscriminate and illegal, as it can result in the destruction of homes and significant harm to civilians.”

In 2013 Israel’s military claimed it was phasing out white phosphorus smokescreen weapons used during the 2008–2009 offensive in Gaza, which various rights groups accused of war crimes.

The Army did not say at the time whether it would also review the use of weaponized white phosphorus, which is designed to destroy enemy targets.

White phosphorus is considered an incendiary weapon under Protocol III of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons. The protocol prohibits using incendiary weapons against military targets located among civilians, although Israel has not signed it and is not bound by it.