Human Rights Watch has accused the Israeli military of unlawfully using white phosphorus over a residential area in southern Lebanon, according to an investigation published Monday. The organization said it verified and geolocated eight images that appear to show airburst white phosphorus munitions deployed over part of a town while Israeli forces were establishing forward defensive positions.

The group stated that it could not confirm whether civilians were present at the time of the alleged attack or whether anyone was injured. It argued, however, that the use of white phosphorus in populated areas violates international law. Israel is not a signatory to the international convention restricting certain conventional weapons, which limits the use of white phosphorus, and has previously said it uses the substance lawfully for purposes such as creating smoke screens.

Similar allegations have been made in the past regarding Gaza and southern Lebanon, though earlier claims did not include conclusive evidence of use over residential areas. On the same day as the reported incident, the Israeli military issued evacuation orders for dozens of villages in southern Lebanon, instructing residents to leave the area.