US 'concerned' that Israel used white phosphorous

https://politico.com

The substance can stick to skin and cause potentially fatal burns and respiratory damage.

The Biden administration is “concerned” about Israel’s reported use of white phosphorus in Lebanon two months ago, National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told reporters Monday.

“We’ve seen the reports, certainly concerned about that. We’ll be asking questions to try to learn a little bit more,” he told reporters.

Kirby’s comments follow an analysis by a journalist working for The Washington Post, who found remains of three 155-millimeter artillery rounds fired into Dheira, a small town near the border of Israel. White phosphorus can be used to obscure troop movement as the smoke falls haphazardly over an area.

But the chemical substance can also stick to skin and cause potentially fatal burns and respiratory damage. Its use could violate international law if its used intentionally as a weapon against civilians, according to the World Health Organization.Reports in October accused Israel of using white phosphorus in the area, and rights group Amnesty International said the matter should be investigated as a war crime. The Post reported that at least nine civilians were injured in the attack.