page_title: White phosphorus
hierarchical_section_title: White phosphorus
caption_attribution_description: English: A white phosphorus bomb explodes on a mast top, while the ship in use as a target in Chesapeake Bay, 23 September 1921. An Army Martin twin-engine bomber is flying overhead. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.
context_page_description: White phosphorus is an incendiary weapon. It makes a bright light and smoke. Its main ingredient is one of the allotropes of the chemical element phosphorus. White phosphorus is toxic to humans. It can burn deep into soft tissue, it can be breathed in, or it can be ingested. Over time, these can cause death.
  The use of incendiary weapons against civilians is forbidden since 1949. They were used by U.S. forces in Iraq in 2004.
  White phosphorous was also used for smoke cover by the Israeli Army during Operation Cast Lead in the Gaza Strip during the 2008-2009 war between Israel and Hamas.
context_section_description: White phosphorus  is an incendiary weapon. It makes a bright light and smoke. Its main ingredient is one of the allotropes of the chemical element phosphorus. White phosphorus is toxic to humans. It can burn deep into soft tissue, it can be breathed in, or it can be ingested (eaten). Over time, these can cause death.
  The use of incendiary weapons against civilians is forbidden since 1949. They were used by U.S. forces in Iraq in 2004.
  White phosphorous was also used for smoke cover by the Israeli Army during Operation Cast Lead in the Gaza Strip during the 2008-2009 war between Israel and Hamas.
caption: A ship is hit by white phoshporus at a weapons test in 1931
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