The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor stated Thursday that the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) has conducted over 1,000 strikes with white phosphorous in populated areas of the Gaza Strip since October 7.

White Phosphorus is an incendiary substance that burns human flesh and can cause lifelong wounds. The usage of White phosphorus is not completely prohibited under international law but it is tightly restricted and using it on populated areas is restricted.

The Euro-Med team received testimonies that the Israeli Occupation carried out 300 attacks with white phosphorus within a period of 40 minutes on November 15 targeting a populated neighborhood in the town of Beit Lahia in north Gaza.

Incidents of white phosphorus usage were also observed in populated areas in the "Sheikh Radwan" neighborhood, north of Gaza City on November 14. In addition to targeting the "Al-Shati" refugee camp west of Gaza, and the "Jabalia" camp north of the Strip.

Palestinians targeted by White Phosphorus reported severe shortness of breath, coughing as a result of inhaling the toxic material, extremely unpleasant odors in the air, and obstruction of vision due to the thick white smoke.

People exposed to white phosphorus may suffer respiratory damage, organ failure, and other serious, life-altering injuries, including burns that are extremely difficult to treat and cannot be extinguished with water.

The Geneva-based human rights monitor stressed that the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) violated the principles of proportionality and distinction in its indiscriminate attacks on the Gaza Strip by directly targeting innocent civilians, including the use of internationally prohibited weapons in a clear violation of international humanitarian law.