White Phosphorus Munition Use in Contemporary Conflicts: A Brief Analysis Within the Context of International Law
The paper discusses the use of white phosphorus (WP) munitions in recent conflict zones such as Ukraine, Gaza, and Nagorno-Karabakh, highlighting the significant legal, ethical, and humanitarian issues it raises. It argues for critically reassessing white phosphorus use in warfare to ensure it aligns with humanitarian values and public ethics. To mitigate the concerns surrounding WP munitions, the paper proposes a few measures, including tightening international laws governing the use of incendiary weapons, improving mechanisms for monitoring and verifying WP usage, and bolstering global efforts to educate and advocate for the curtailment or prohibition of the incendiary munitions. These recommendations aim to enhance compliance with international humanitarian standards and protect human rights in conflict zones.
