2023-12-12 04:15:05
(AFP, Washington, 11th) The US White House expressed concern today about reports that Israel used US-made white phosphorus bombs in an attack on Lebanon in October, and said it was seeking more details about the accusations.
Lebanon accused Israel of using white phosphorus bombs multiple times in October, and the Washington Post said today that analysis of shell fragments showed they were made in the United States.
White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said: “We have seen these reports and are of course deeply concerned. We will inquire about them and try to learn more about this matter.”
White phosphorus bombs are banned as chemical weapons under international law, but they are allowed to be used for battlefield lighting and as smoke screens.
“Obviously, whenever we provide something like white phosphorus to another military force, we fully expect that it will be used lawfully and in compliance with the law of armed conflict,” Kirby said.
The Post stated that Israel launched an attack in southern Lebanon using white phosphorus bombs that appeared to be provided by the United States. Nine civilians were injured in the attack.
The report pointed out that a reporter working for the China Post found serial numbers on the fragments of the three shells, indicating that they were manufactured in the United States in 1989 and 1992.
Lebanon said on October 31 that after the Palestinian armed group Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, Israel “repeatedly” attacked with white phosphorus bombs and burned 40,000 olive trees.
U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller added that the United States is “looking for more information.” “We are concerned whenever we see white phosphorus bombs being used in a way that harms civilians.”
1702365924
#concerned #reports #Israeli #white #phosphorus #bombs