White House Concerned by Israel’s Reported Use of White Phosphorus Shells in Lebanon

The substance can stick to various surfaces including skin, and is difficult to extinguish, thus raising the risk of deadly burns.

White phosphorus fired by Israeli army to create a smoke screen, is seen on the Israel–Lebanon border in northern Israel, on Nov. 12, 2023. Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters

The Biden White House acknowledged reports that Israeli forces may have misused U.S.-supplied white phosphorus against Lebanon in at least one cross-border skirmish in October and indicated the U.S. would look into the incident.

White phosphorus is a component sometimes used in smoke, illumination, and incendiary munitions.