Rain of Fire

Israel's Unlawful Use of White Phosphorus in Gaza

I. Summary

White Phosphorus Use in Gaza

Methodology

II. Recommendations

To the Government of Israel

To the United Nations

To the United States

III. What is White Phosphorus?

Israel's Use of White Phosphorus

Hamas's Alleged Use of White Phosphorus

IV. White Phosphorus Attacks in Populated Areas

Attacks on Urban Areas

Tel al-Hawa Neighborhood, Gaza City

Al-Quds Hospital, Tel al-Hawa Neighborhood, Gaza City

UNRWA Headquarters Compound, Gaza City

Beit Lahiya UNRWA School

Attacks on Outlying Communities

Siyafa Village, Beit Lahiya

Khuza'a Village

V. Israel's Shifting Statements on White Phosphorus

VI. Legal Standards

White Phosphorus Use and the Conduct of Hostilities

White Phosphorus and Law on Incendiary Weapons

Israel's Use of White Phosphorus under International Law

White Phosphorus Use in Populated Areas and Individual Criminal Responsibility

Acknowledgements

Appendices

HRW letter to the IDF

IDF response to HRW