The United States is concerned about reports that Israel used US-supplied white phosphorus munitions during an October attack in southern Lebanon, White House spokesman John Kirby said.
“We have seen these messages. Of course, this worries us. We will ask questions to find out a little more,” Kirby told reporters.
Phosphorus has “legitimate military uses” and can be used for illumination or to create a smoke screen to conceal movement, Kirby said.
“Of course, whenever we provide things like phosphorus, we fully expect that they will be used in accordance with those legitimate purposes and in accordance with the laws of armed conflict,” he said.