What is this weapon?

[soandso]

Photos from Israel's attacks on Hezbollah. It looks like rays of hot sparks or molten something and it covers a lot of ground.

[GReedDiamond]

1. Gojira? Godzilla!!

...what it looks like to me.

[FirefighterJo]

2. Probably dragon drones

Would be my guess. They unload burning thermite

[sarisataka]

17. Ukraine are the only ones who have dragon drones AFAIK

and the dispersion pattern is wrong for them. They drop the thermite in a trailing pattern, not launch it in a leading pattern

[FirefighterJo]

21. You have a point :)

Didn t see the leading pattern. But it was just a guess. Still bears the question what is it

[FirefighterJo]

22. It ain t white phospor

I know for a fact . Helaas

[sarisataka]

25. My guess is it is white phosphorus

I believe that the photo is a time lapse of a few seconds. It is distorting the image so it doesn't appear like what a typical WP round looks like.

[canetoad]

3. ABC.au describes white phosphorus

Dec 2023

What is the US-supplied white phosphorus Israel is accused of using in Lebanon attacks?

The White House has said it is "concerned" about new reports that Israel used US-supplied white phosphorus munitions in an October attack in southern Lebanon.

The incendiary weapon can be used legally on battlefields, but rights groups have been sounding the alarm since early in the Israel-Gaza war of its "unlawful use".

White phosphorus is a toxic chemical that ignites when exposed to the air and is difficult to extinguish.

It sticks to the flesh and can cause serious long-term injuries, which makes its use against civilians or in a civilian setting a violation of the laws of war.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-12-13/white-phosphorus-munitions-israel-gaza-lebanon-us-made-weapons/103218598

Pix at the link look very much like your photos

[soandso]

4. Yup, that's it!

I was doing some searching and suspected it but thought it was illegal and, sure enough, the Dept of Defense is selling this shit.

U.S. State Department approves sale of white phosphorus artillery rounds to Australia
NEWSARMY
By
Daisuke Sato
Dec 5, 2020

https://defence-blog.com/u-s-state-department-approves-sale-of-white-phosphorus-artillery-rounds-to-australia/

I've seen Ukraine use it and now Israel. WTF? Is it not illegal? What's next, mustard gas?

[soandso]

5. Oh, and did you notice

"U.S. State Department approves sale..."? A couple of months ago I heard something similar on TV news with regard to a huge weapons sale or gift to either Israel or Ukraine being approved by the State Dept and I was shocked. I looked into it and found law that congress passed some law abdicating their own duty to appropriate such out of DoD budget sales and passing it off to the State Dept, up to a certain (humongous) dollar amount.

[DetroitLegalBeagle]

11. Legal for use

Illegal to use on civilians, unless there is a military target among the civilians and all measures are taken to minimize civilian casualties and the rule of proportionality is followed. In that case, its only illegal if delivery is via air, like aircraft dropped bombs or missiles. It would still be legal to be delivered by artillery and ground based rockets(if i remember right). Legal to use against military targets like buildings, equipment, and personnel. It's also used to create smoke screens, to illuminate a battlefield, and to designate a target.

[Redleg]

15. A nice summary of the rules- thank you

We used to fire WP shells in the field artillery. And sometimes HP and WP with the same battery- "shake and bake."

[Happy Hoosier]

16. White Phosphorusw is not illegal in general...

Its use is restricted. It can be used against legitimate targets. It cannot be used to target civilian infrastructure or to target civilians themselves. It is normally used to create smoke screens or to mark targets or objectives.... It can be used against troops concentrations, but it is less effective as an anti-personal weapon than many suppose. It's also less effective for starting fires than many suppose. However, when it DOES hit people, it tends to cause pretty horrific wounds, which is why it is restricted.

[sarisataka]

18. It is not illegal

so no, mustard gas is probably not next.

Did you say anything when Ukraine used WP? just out of curiosity

[soandso]

7. Just read your link

and how sickening is this shit? It's illegal to use against civilians but legal otherwise. You can see in the pics I posted the huge range those things are covering, with all of the apartment blocks getting showered with it.

[canetoad]

9. I missed that article at the time

Almost ten months ago. Now it's like a Pandora's box of horror.

I'm seeing descriptions of white phosphorus and what it does to a body. Indonesia is accused of using it and deny it. The pentagon is pressing the White House to approve it for Ukraine. The White House says a firm NO.

What ghastly, inhumane stuff.

[soandso]

10. Ukraine has been using it for a long time

[EYESORE 9001]

13. Has it now?

Got anything to back up that bold assertion?

[FirefighterJo]

12. Ain t phospor

Phosphor burns white. I know...

[sarisataka]

19. Because it has "white" in the name?

Last time I saw WP in use, it burned orange.

[RockRaven]

6. The "it was totally a very targeted strike on a specific individual terrorist" weapon...

...and if anyone believes that please let me know because I would like to tell you about an incredible blockchain bridge-based investment opportunity.

[Judi Lynn]

8. DU'ers were discussing this weapon when W invaded Afghanistan. Please note what original article above says

about what White Phosphorus does to flesh and blood bodies:

What harm can they have?
White phosphorus causes deep burns through muscle and down to the bone, and if not all fragments are removed they can reignite when exposed to oxygen, according to HRW.

It can also cause respiratory damage and organ failure, with burns on less than 10 per cent of your body often being fatal.

Professor Bachmann described it as a particularly "nasty weapon of war".

"It does not only render you unable to fight on, it actually aims to destroy you," he said.

"It basically destroys human tissue."

HRW says those who survive their initial injuries often experience a lifetime of suffering.

"Extensive scarring tightens muscle tissue and creates physical disabilities," the group said.

"The trauma of the attack, the painful treatment that follows, and appearance-changing scars lead to psychological harm and social exclusion."

More:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-12-13/white-phosphorus-munitions-israel-gaza-lebanon-us-made-weapons/103218598

~ ~ ~

If you feel a need to see white phosphorus burns, take a moment to scan the page at Google images:

https://tinyurl.com/ydjama33

Deeply graphic, unsettling

[werdna]

14. The Ark of the Covenant? n/t

[sarisataka]

20. Best guess, white phosphorus

[Polybius]

23. Ask David Grusch, I bet he would know

Alien technology.

[WarGamer]

24. Daenerys and Drogon?