Ahmad Baydoun, a Lebanese researcher, documents the alleged use of white phosphorus by Israeli forces in southern Lebanon, focusing on its severe health and environmental consequences. Following increased hostilities in October 2023, he shifted from theoretical research to real-time monitoring, utilizing geolocated visual data and satellite imagery. His findings reveal substantial ecological damage and public health risks, while calls for international accountability remain unaddressed.
Ahmad Baydoun, a Lebanese researcher pursuing a PhD in Amsterdam, has seen his academic interests become crucial amid ongoing violence in Lebanon. His focus lies on documenting the alleged use of white phosphorus by Israeli forces in populated southern Lebanon, a tactic recognized for its severe environmental and public health implications. Baydoun utilizes geolocated visual data, satellite imagery, and social media to trace the environmental impact of these military operations, serving both as a witness and an advocate for accountability. White phosphorus, an incendiary agent that ignites upon exposure to oxygen, is legally permitted under international law for military use, primarily to obscure troop movements. However, its deployment near civilian populations is prohibited by the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons. Baydoun has been particularly concerned with reports revealing its use in populated areas, citing the devastating health effects experienced by civilians, including severe burns and respiratory issues. In response to escalated hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, which intensified from October 2023, Baydoun shifted from theoretical research to real-time monitoring. His work, supported by the Lebanese National Council for Scientific Research, indicates that 117 white phosphorus bombs have been launched into southern Lebanon, particularly affecting vulnerable communities and exacerbating economic hardships in an already beleaguered region. The environmental ramifications of white phosphorus are profound, contaminating soil and water sources, thereby threatening local agriculture and food security. This contamination is not limited to local ecosystems; it poses risks that extend beyond Lebanon’s borders, threatening agricultural exports and biodiversity in surrounding areas. Baydoun employs advanced verification techniques to bolster the accuracy of his findings, collaborating with various digital investigative platforms. His work has revealed incidents near UN peacekeeping bases, where exposure to white phosphorus resulted in health complications for peacekeepers, reinforcing the argument against its usage in civilian areas. Despite Israel’s claims of adhering to international law, local officials assert a broader strategy aimed at displacing populations from these regions. As the international community remains largely unresponsive, Baydoun emphasizes the necessity of continuing documentation and advocacy regarding the environmental destruction and humanitarian crisis unfolding in southern Lebanon. His research not only captures the realities of conflict but serves as a compelling call for global awareness and action.
The use of white phosphorus in military conflicts, particularly in populated areas, raises significant ethical and legal concerns within international humanitarian law. Under the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons, the deployment of such incendiary materials in civilian zones is explicitly forbidden due to their dangerous impact on public health and the environment. Recent hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah have led to increased scrutiny of these practices, particularly in southern Lebanon, where evidence suggests that white phosphorus has been used against civilian populations, prompting researchers like Ahmad Baydoun to document these occurrences meticulously.
Ahmad Baydoun’s investigative efforts highlight the dire consequences of using white phosphorus in civilian areas, emphasizing its severe health ramifications and ecological destruction. His research not only sheds light on the ongoing humanitarian crisis in southern Lebanon but also calls for accountability in its documentation. With international responses remaining muted, Baydoun’s work stands as a significant contribution to understanding and exposing the complexities of contemporary conflicts. His insights underline the urgent need for global awareness regarding the catastrophic effects of military tactics on both human lives and the environment.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
