By John Irish PARIS, June 6 (Reuters) - France is working with several countries to step up pressure on Israel by pressing ahead with coordinated national sanctions targeting individuals linked to violence in the West Bank,

The investigation, prompted by a video published by Ben-Gvir, was initiated following a formal referral submitted to the prosecutor's office by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot.

White phosphorus is not banned under international law, but can "create cruel injuries" and indiscriminate harm in civilian areas.

The Middle East tensions continue to escalate as reports suggest widening rifts between the United States and Israel while military operations against Iran and allied groups intensify. US military reportedly downed Iranian attack drones near the Strait of Hormuz,

Videos collected by The Times shows how the Israeli military has deployed a munition that can be extremely harmful over populated areas in Lebanon.

Road closures and a "significant" police presence that includes undercover officers can be expected around the United Jewish Appeal's (UJA) annual Walk with Israel event Sunday, police say.

The Pentagon has reportedly raised Israel's counter-intelligence threat rating to critical amid concerns about surveillance of senior US officials. The assessment has surfaced days after Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu clashed over the Iran war.

Baku called the reports attributed to anonymous sources and unconfirmed by either Azerbaijan or Israel "completely groundless," telling Euronews it had never provided its territory for any action against a third country,