ISRAEL: A leading human rights group on Saturday accused Israel of using white-phosphorus munitions during its offensive in the Gaza Strip and warned of the risk to Palestinian civilians who live near the fighting.

Human Rights Watch said in a statement that its researchers in Israel observed multiple air-bursts on Jan. 9 and Jan. 10 of artillery-fired white phosphorus near the city of Gaza and the Jabalya refugee camp.

“White phosphorus can burn down houses and cause horrific burns when it touches the skin,” said Marc Garlasco, senior military analyst at Human Rights Watch.

Israel confirmed in 2006 that it had used phosporus shells during its war against Hezbollah guerillas in Lebanon. White phosphorus munitions are not considered chemical weapons. The substance ignites easily in air at temperatures of about 30 Celsius (86 Fahrenheit) and its fire can be difficult to extinguish.