White House 'Concerned' at Reports Israel Used White Phosphorus in Lebanon Attack

This picture taken from southern Lebanon shows smoke rising after an Israeli strike between the villages of Qaouzah and Ramia near the border with Israel on December 3, 2023. (Photo by AFP)
This picture taken from southern Lebanon shows smoke rising after an Israeli strike between the villages of Qaouzah and Ramia near the border with Israel on December 3, 2023. (Photo by AFP)
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White House 'Concerned' at Reports Israel Used White Phosphorus in Lebanon Attack

This picture taken from southern Lebanon shows smoke rising after an Israeli strike between the villages of Qaouzah and Ramia near the border with Israel on December 3, 2023. (Photo by AFP)
This picture taken from southern Lebanon shows smoke rising after an Israeli strike between the villages of Qaouzah and Ramia near the border with Israel on December 3, 2023. (Photo by AFP)

The United States is concerned about reports Israel used US-supplied white phosphorus munitions in an October attack in southern Lebanon, White House spokesperson John Kirby said on Monday.

"We've seen the reports. Certainly concerned about that. We'll be asking questions to try to learn a little bit more," Kirby told reporters on Air Force One.

Kirby said white phosphorus has a "legitimate military utility" for illumination and producing smoke to conceal movements, Reuters reported.

"Obviously any time that we provide items like white phosphorus to another military, it is with the full expectation that it will be used in keeping with those legitimate purposes ... and in keeping with the law of armed conflict," he said.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, asked about the report that Israel used white phosphorus in Lebanon, said the Israeli army “and the entire security establishment acts according to international law. That is how we have acted and how we will act."



Israeli Strike On South Lebanon Targets Hamas Official, Lebanese Security Sources Say

Lebanese army, security forces, and civil defense first responders inspect the remains of a destroyed vehicle that was reportedly hit by an Israeli strike in Lebanon's southern city of Sidon on February 17, 2025. (AFP)
Lebanese army, security forces, and civil defense first responders inspect the remains of a destroyed vehicle that was reportedly hit by an Israeli strike in Lebanon's southern city of Sidon on February 17, 2025. (AFP)
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Israeli Strike On South Lebanon Targets Hamas Official, Lebanese Security Sources Say

Lebanese army, security forces, and civil defense first responders inspect the remains of a destroyed vehicle that was reportedly hit by an Israeli strike in Lebanon's southern city of Sidon on February 17, 2025. (AFP)
Lebanese army, security forces, and civil defense first responders inspect the remains of a destroyed vehicle that was reportedly hit by an Israeli strike in Lebanon's southern city of Sidon on February 17, 2025. (AFP)

An Israeli strike on a car in Lebanon's southern port city of Sidon on Monday targeted an official in the Palestinian group Hamas, two Lebanese security sources said according to Reuters. 

Lebanon's state news agency said rescuers had extracted one body from the car but did not identify the victim. 

The attack was the deepest strike in the country since a ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel took effect in late November.  

The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the attack, which comes a day before the deadline for Israel’s full withdrawal from southern Lebanon under the ceasefire agreement that ended the 14-month war between Israel and Hezbollah.  

Footage circulating online showed a car engulfed in flames. The strike occurred near a Lebanese army checkpoint and Sidon’s municipal sports stadium.  

The original withdrawal deadline was in late January, but under pressure from Israel, Lebanon agreed to extend it to Feb. 18. It remains unclear whether Israeli troops will complete their withdrawal by Tuesday.  

Since the ceasefire, Israel has continued airstrikes in southern and eastern Lebanon, saying it is targeting military sites containing missiles and combat equipment. Israel and Lebanon have exchanged accusations of violating the ceasefire agreement.