Israel Admits It Has White Fosphor Ammunition

JAKARTA The Israeli army on Tuesday admitted it did have white phosphorus ammunition for purposes other than attacking.

"We have a smoke shell containing white phosphorus, which is intended as camouflage, not for attack or start fighting," the Israeli Army Radio said.

Israel's remarks came after the White House expressed concern over reports stating Israel used US supply white phosphorus in attacks in southern Lebanon.

"Like many Western troops, Israeli soldiers also have smoke shells containing white phosphorus, which is legal under international law," the Israeli Army Radio said.

He added ammunition "legally not defined as an incendiary weapon."

The Washington Post reported an Israeli attack on October 16 in Dheira near the Lebanese-Israeli border, in which Israel is said to have used white phosphorus ammunition supplied by the US so that at least nine civilians were injured.

Human rights group Amnesty International called for an investigation into the attack and called it a potential war crime.

Among the nine people who were injured, at least three were hospitalized, one of whom was treated for days.

Anadolu has also taken several photos showing the use of white phosphorus bombs against Gaza civilians, while some lawyers say the photo could be used as evidence to sue Israel.

Since October 7, tensions have flared along the border between Lebanon and Israel after Israeli forces and Hezbollah had been fighting deadly since both sides became involved in a full-scale war in 2006.

Border tensions broke out amid Israeli military attacks in the Gaza Strip following a cross-border Hamas attack.