Does Australia condemn the use of phosphorous bombs against civilian targets?
SMITH: Well, firstly I see that allegation has been made. I’ve also seen denials by Israeli authorities that phosphorous has been used. As I understand the international law of war, limited use of phosphorous is consistent with international law. Whether the Israelis have used phosphorous in the current conflict, and if so, whether that use has been consistent with international law, is not something that I have knowledge of. But it is something which, as I indicated earlier, where allegations have been made about breaches of humanitarian law or international law, they should be the subject of investigation, and the Israeli Defence Forces have indicated they are conducting a preliminary investigation into a range of suggested allegations. But I do note that the Israeli authorities have indicated that they’re not using white phosphorous in the manner that has been suggested publicly. JOURNALIST: Have you spoken to your Israel counterpart? Do you have any intention to? Or has there been
