Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: white phosphorus

Mains level: White phosphorus munitions , applications and effects and concerns

What’s the news?

Global human rights organizations, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have accused the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) of using white phosphorus munitions in densely populated areas in Gaza and Lebanon.

Central idea

Global human rights organizations, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have accused the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) of using white phosphorus munitions in Gaza and Lebanon, allegedly in violation of International Humanitarian Law (IHL). The use of such munitions in densely populated areas raises serious concerns about civilian safety, though the IDF has vehemently denied these allegations.

White phosphorus is categorized as a pyrophoric substance, meaning it spontaneously ignites when exposed to oxygen, emitting intense heat and thick smoke. I
It is classified under Pyrophoric solids, category 1 in the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals, indicating its high level of instability.
White phosphorus is also distinguishable by its garlic-like odor.

Smokescreen: White phosphorus is dispersed in artillery shells, bombs, and rockets to create a smokescreen. This smokescreen serves as a visual obscurant, making it difficult for enemy forces to see and target troops or vehicles. It provides cover for troop movements and other tactical operations.
Visual Obscurant: In addition to obscuring visibility, the smoke generated by white phosphorus can disrupt the enemy’s ability to use infrared optics and sensors, which are commonly used in guided missile systems.
Incendiary Weapon: White phosphorus can also be used as an incendiary weapon, as demonstrated during the second battle of Fallujah in Iraq in 2004.

Severe Burns: Upon exposure to white phosphorus, it can cause severe burns, often reaching down to the bone. Even burns covering as little as 10 percent of the body can be fatal, according to Human Rights Watch.
Respiratory Damage: Inhaling white phosphorus particles or smoke can lead to respiratory damage and harm to internal organs. This inhalation can have long-term health consequences for those exposed.
Impaired Mobility: Survivors of white phosphorus burns often experience a lifetime of suffering, including impaired mobility and painful, disfiguring scars.
Environmental Damage: Beyond its effects on individuals, white phosphorus can cause extensive environmental damage. It can ignite fires that devastate infrastructure, property, and crops, potentially leading to significant economic and ecological consequences.

White phosphorus munitions have a long history of use, dating back to late 19th-century Irish nationalists.
They were extensively used in World War I and have since appeared in various conflicts worldwide, including the Normandy invasion in World War II, the US invasion of Iraq in 2004, and the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
Most recently, accusations arose regarding Russia’s use of white phosphorus bombs during the invasion of Ukraine.

White phosphorus munitions are not globally banned but are subject to regulation under international humanitarian law (IHL).
They are not categorized as chemical weapons because their primary function is based on heat and smoke production rather than inherent toxicity.
The legal framework governing their use is the Convention on Conventional Weapons (CCW), specifically Protocol III, which addresses incendiary weapons.
While some countries like Palestine and Lebanon have ratified Protocol III and are bound by its regulations, Israel has not ratified it.
Protocol III has certain limitations and loopholes. It restricts the use of airdropped incendiary weapons in areas with concentrations of civilians but does not entirely ban ground-launched incendiary weapons in such areas.
The protocol’s definition of incendiary weapons includes those primarily designed to set fire to and burn people, potentially excluding multipurpose munitions containing white phosphorus, as they are considered primarily smoking agents.

The controversy surrounding white phosphorus munitions highlights the urgent need for a comprehensive reevaluation of the regulations governing their use in armed conflicts. International Humanitarian Law must evolve to address the potential harm these munitions can inflict on civilians and the environment, ensuring a safer and more just world for all.