The Israeli military fired white phosphorus artillery at the town of Yohmor on Tuesday last week, according to the organization's report. The attack targeted residential areas, which HRW says is a crime. Israeli forces had told residents to flee a few hours earlier.
White phosphorus ignites violently and is toxic. It is not classified as a chemical weapon because it is often used for other purposes, but it is controversial because the burning material easily causes severe damage.
Rights groups say it violates the laws of war when used against civilians or indiscriminately, and Israel has been accused of this in the past in Lebanon and Gaza.
