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Tags: israel | hamas | white phosphorus | lebanon

WH 'Concerned' on Reported White Phosphorus Use by Israel

By    |   Monday, 11 December 2023 05:13 PM EST

White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Washington is "concerned" that Israel used United States-supplied white phosphorus in October.

On Monday, The Washington Post reported that Israeli forces injured nine after firing artillery shells containing the element in military operations along Lebanon's southern border between Oct.10 and 16.

"We've seen the reports, certainly concerned about that. We'll be asking questions to try to learn a little bit more," Kirby told reporters shortly after the Post story was released.

White phosphorus is a chemical substance that ignites when exposed to oxygen and is not internationally recognized as a chemical weapon.

However, human rights groups have fiercely criticized Israel's supposed use of the substance in incendiary weapons — a gray area in international law that depends upon several factors.

Kirby highlighted the substance's "legitimate military utility" but noted that the U.S.' supply of the substance to foreign countries "is with the full expectation" that they will follow wartime laws.

He had no additional comments about whether Israel was using the substance properly.

Both Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International accused Israel of using white phosphorus in the attack back in October, months before the Post reiterated the same accusations following its report.

Amnesty International has explicitly called for the incident to be investigated as a war crime because, the group claims it was an "indiscriminate attack."

"It is beyond horrific that the Israeli army has indiscriminately used white phosphorous in violation of international humanitarian law," said Aya Majzoub, the group's deputy regional director for the Middle East and North Africa.

Lt. Col. Peter Lerner, a spokesman for the Israel Defense Forces, previously denied the HRW's report that white phosphorus was used in a potentially illegal way on CNN.

"Categorically, no," Lerner said when asked if Israel was using it two months ago.

Luca Cacciatore

Luca Cacciatore, a Newsmax general assignment writer, is based in Arlington, Virginia, reporting on news and politics. 

© 2024 Newsmax. All rights reserved.


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White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Washington is "concerned" that Israel used United States-supplied white phosphorus in October.
israel, hamas, white phosphorus, lebanon
302
2023-13-11
Monday, 11 December 2023 05:13 PM
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