U.S. officials are investigating the possible use of white phosphorus, a highly flammable compound that is banned in certain circumstances, during Israeli attacks in Lebanon in mid-October, according to a U.S. official.
The incendiary weapon that creates plumes of smoke can be used legally in war, for example to create a smoke screen, but its use is restricted and can constitute a war crime if it is fired at civilians. The chemicals contained in the weapons can burn at temperatures of up to 815 degrees Celsius and can burn bodies to the bone if they come into contact with humans.
Lebanon’s state-run news agency reported several attacks using white phosphorus in southern Lebanon in October. The Lebanese foreign minister said he had instructed the Lebanese mission to the U.N. to file a complaint with the Security Council over the attack. The Israeli military has said that its use of white phosphorus complies with international law.
Lebanon’s Environment Minister Nasser Yassin said his ministry analyzed soil samples collected in southern Lebanon and detected in some cases levels of white phosphorus far exceeding the norms outlined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
“We have lodged formal complaints and are currently preparing to furnish the results of our laboratory analysis, along with comprehensive documentation, to supplement the ongoing complaint initiated by the Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the United Nations,” he told the Journal.
government has cautioned Israel against misuse of the substance in the past, said Josh Paul, an official who left the State Department in October.
“We’ve been clear with Israel in the past about how they should and shouldn’t use white phosphorus,” said Paul. “That’s an obvious one because we’ve said it before.”
The Israeli military declined to comment on whether or not it would cooperate with the U.S. investigation.
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