Claims Israel are using white phosphorus shells

Lebanon civilians harmed in raids, says rights group

- CHRIS HUGHES

ISRAEL is targeting homes with flesh-burning white phosphorus incendiary shells, human rights campaigners alleged yesterday.

They claim the weapons - banned for use against people - may have harmed civilians in five towns in Lebanon, in violation of international law.

Human Rights Watch said there was no evidence of burn injuries but it had "heard accounts indicating possible respiratory damage".

The group's lawyers say it is against the law to fire the controversial munitions into populated areas, as Israel has been accused of doing in other wars whitehot chemical The substance can set buildings on fire and burns human flesh down to the bone.