White House spokesperson, John Kirby, told reporters earlier on Monday that the US is concerned about Israel’s use of white phosphorus munitions.
Israel’s military has reportedly admitted that it possesses munitions containing white phosphorus, following concerns raised by the White House about reports of its use in an October attack in southern Lebanon.
“We have smoke shells containing white phosphorus, intended for camouflage, and not for the purpose of attacking or starting fires,” the official Israeli Army Radio said on Monday, according to news reports.
“Like many Western armies, the Israeli army also possesses smoke munitions containing white phosphorus,” it reportedly added.
White House spokesperson, John Kirby, told reporters earlier on Monday that “we’ve seen the reports. Certainly concerned about that. We’ll be asking questions to try to learn a little bit more.”
White House Says It Is “Concerned” About Reports Israel Used White Phosphorous in Lebanon
The Washington Post reported discovering the remnants of three 155mm white phosphorous artillery shells in Dheira, Lebanon, near the border with Israel. The white phosphorous incinerated at… pic.twitter.com/jzQLAqIlhV
— Kyle Anzalone (@KyleAnzalone_) December 11, 2023
“Obviously any time that we provide items like white phosphorus to another military, it is with the full expectation that it will be used in keeping with those legitimate purposes … and in keeping with the law of armed conflict,” Kirby said.
In late October, Amnesty International revealed evidence that the Israeli army used white phosphorus in its attacks on Lebanon.
The organization said that “the Israeli army fired artillery shells containing white phosphorus, an incendiary weapon, in military operations along Lebanon’s southern border between 10 and 16 October 2023.”
One attack on the town of Dhayra on October 16 must be investigated as a war crime because it was an indiscriminate attack that injured at least nine civilians and damaged civilian objects, and was therefore unlawful, said the organization.
Israel has used white phosphorous on southern Lebanon over 60 times since October 7th.https://t.co/m35TWUD5sF
— sarah (@sahouraxo) December 11, 2023
It said that its Crisis Evidence Lab verified photos and videos showing the use of white phosphorus. Included in the evidence is a video showing the artillery-dispersed smoke plumes, consistent with white phosphorus munitions.
Asked about the report that Israel used white phosphorus in Lebanon, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant reportedly said: “The IDF and the entire security establishment acts according to international law. That is how we have acted and how we will act.”
The Israeli army has also reportedly been found to use white phosphorus in Gaza, with the Anadolu news agency saying it has “taken some photographs showing the use of white phosphorus bombs on civilians in Gaza.”
Amnesty International says the usage of white phosphorus is restricted under international humanitarian law.
Israel has used white phosphorous in attacks on southern Lebanon.
This is an international war crime.
The US knew and paid for it. https://t.co/JNQWxkx0pk pic.twitter.com/IOH24VYPOf
— Dr. Anastasia Maria Loupis (@DrLoupis) December 11, 2023
“Although there can be lawful uses, it must never be fired at, or in close proximity to, a populated civilian area or civilian infrastructure, due to the high likelihood that the fires and smoke it causes spread”, it said.
Such attacks, which fail to distinguish between civilians and civilian objects and fighters and military objectives, are indiscriminate and thus prohibited, the human rights body explained.
Since October 7, tensions have escalated along the border between Lebanon and Israel. The Lebanese Resistance movement Hezbollah has engaged directly, but relatively in a limited way in the war against the Israeli occupation.
(PC, Anadolu)
