Israel uses phosphorus shells in attacks on southern Lebanon despite truce

Aug 21, 2026

Israeli forces launched a series of airstrikes, heavy artillery fire, and explosions across southern Lebanon on August 21 and 22, 2026, despite a U.S.-mediated framework agreement. The attacks included the use of controversial white phosphorus shells near Nabatieh al-Fawqa and caused extensive destruction to homes in Bayt al-Sayyad. Meanwhile, Hezbollah rejected new U.S. Treasury sanctions designating the group as an agent of Iran, vowing to continue its resistance against Israel.

Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon

▪Israeli warplanes conducted two airstrikes on Ali al-Taher hill on the northern outskirts of Nabatieh al-Fawqa at approximately 6:45 a.m. local time on Saturday, August 22, 2026.
▪Israeli forces carried out airstrikes, heavy artillery fire, and explosions across several areas of southern Lebanon overnight and early Saturday, August 22, 2026.
▪Israeli forces executed a massive two-stage explosion on Friday afternoon, August 21, 2026, in the area between the southern Lebanese towns of Arnoun and Kfar Tibnit.

White phosphorus munitions use

▪White phosphorus is an incendiary chemical that ignites upon contact with air, causing severe burns, respiratory injuries, asphyxiation, and structural damage.
▪Human Rights Watch documented that Israeli forces previously used white phosphorus in residential areas of southern Lebanese border villages in 2024 and in Gaza and Lebanon in 2023.
▪Israeli forces fired phosphorus shells during heavy artillery shelling on the outskirts of Dawhat Kfar Remman, Dabsha hill, and Ali al-Taher overnight until early Saturday, August 22, 2026.

Ceasefire violations

▪A new round of hostilities on March 2, 2026, shattered the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon that had been in place since November 2024.
▪Israeli military operations in southern Lebanon on August 21 and August 22, 2026, occurred despite a United States-mediated framework agreement.

Hezbollah response to US sanctions

▪Hezbollah stated on Friday, August 21, 2026, that new United States sanctions would not deter its resistance against Israel or its defense of Lebanese sovereignty.
▪The United States Treasury Department amended Hezbollah's legal designation on Thursday, August 20, 2026, to state that the group operates in service to the Iranian regime.

Civilian infrastructure destruction

▪Israeli forces carried out extensive explosions and artillery shelling targeting the southern Lebanese towns of Mansouri, Majdal Zoun, Hadatha, Beit Yahoun, and Aita al-Jabal.
▪Israeli artillery shelling and overnight explosions extensively damaged homes in the southern Lebanese town of Bayt al-Sayyad, leaving no house undamaged by Saturday, August 22, 2026.

International humanitarian law violations

▪International humanitarian law prohibits the use of airburst white phosphorus in areas with dense civilian populations because the weapon inflicts indiscriminate harm on civilians.
▪Human Rights Watch warned that the use of white phosphorus in populated areas of southern Lebanon violates international legal standards against indiscriminate weapons.