'But such munitions are deadly and Israel should not delay a ban on their unlawful use or hedge it with vague time limits and secret exceptions.' 'It's good the Israeli military has decided at last to reduce its use of white phosphorus munitions, which are indiscriminate when air-burst in urban areas,' said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. For undisclosed security reasons, the petitioners and their lawyers were not allowed to review the proposed exceptions. At the hearing, the Israeli state attorney proposed 'a prohibition on the use of white phosphorus in built-up areas for the time being, with two limited exceptions that were presented before the judges' in a separate ex parte hearing. On May 13, 2013, the Israeli Supreme Court heard a petition by Israeli human rights and other civil society groups seeking a ban on the Israel Defense Forces' use of certain white phosphorus munitions in populated areas. Human Rights Watch has also urged all countries to make white phosphorus illegal when used as an incendiary weapon. Israel should strengthen an announced reduction of its military use of white phosphorus munitions by banning all use of 'air-burst' white phosphorus munitions in populated areas without exception. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Human Rights Watch, Israel: Strengthen White Phosphorus Phase-Out, ,В available at:

White phosphorus night vision