Israel using White Phosphorus in Gaza

ISRAEL has been accused of firing fearsome - and possibly illegal - white phosphorus shells in Gaza as its forces cut the 40km-long coastal territory in two.

White phosphorus, believed to have been used to cause a dense smokescreen as troops and tanks advanced, can cause horrific burns to anyone coming into contact with it. Its use as a military weapon is forbidden in civilian areas under the Geneva Treaty of 1980.

Experts quoted in the British media said that if white phosphorus had been used in an area as heavily populated as Gaza, Israel might have committed a war crime.

The Israeli military has denied using the controversial munitions, but acknowledged their use during its 2006 war against Hezbollah in Lebanon.

British and United States forces also used it - drawing heavy criticism - during the 2003 invasion of Iraq. It is not illegal if used as a smokescreen.

"Israel uses munitions that are allowed under international law," spokesman Ishai David was quoted as saying in the Daily Mail - but declined to elaborate on the type of shells used during the Gaza operation.

In any case, by yesterday, the Israeli ground offensive - which came after eight days of air strikes since Dec 27 - had cut Gaza, controlled by the militant Hamas, in two. Israel had said ground operations were needed because rocket attacks by Hamas fighters on civilian areas in southern Israel had continued despite air strikes.

Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak has insisted the offensive in Gaza would proceed, reported the BBC.

Israel, which goes to the polls next month, launched 30 air strikes last night. Heavy clashes were reported east of Gaza City, the largest urban area.

Moves to seek a ceasefire or a diplomatic resolution, led by France, have gathered pace as the death toll shot past 500.

A Hamas delegation was expected in Egypt, which European Union foreign-policy chief Javier Solana had said could play a "fundamental" role in bringing about a ceasefire.

However, Hamas was still talking tough: Top leader Mahmud Zahar yesterday vowed Hamas was heading to "victory".

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Israel White Phosphorus
• Civilians
• Gaza
• Palestinians
• illegal
• murder
• death
• war crimes
• criminals
• holywar
• ethic cleansing
• bombings

[Ideazonqa]

@herpenmaderp he was being sarcastic you complete fucking tool.

[Ideazonqa]

@rabahalrabi LOL, so in 1948 and again in 1957 and again in 1967 and again in 1972 and all the years in between, the arabs have TRIED to wipe israel off the map. this would include the mass murder of the jews, once again. as soon as it became apparent the arabs are too weak to defeat the jews and the arabs would lose, you fucking morons took the "im so innocent, please dont hurt me" role. cmon pal, its a fuckin ploy and uve been following it way to long. open ur eyes

[Ideazonqa]

@Wassouf10 lol, even IF palestine being occupied, if the so called freedom fighters blow up a bus packed with civilians in tel aviv, israel has every right to go blow the fuck out of an apartment building packed with civilians in palestine. i mean if u call a suicide bomber blowing himself up in a market place a "resister", then i think it 100% ok for israel to murder palestinians. you are so stupid its pathetic.

[herpenmaderp]

@awarwek i cant understand a single word you are saying. please learn some grammar. thank you.

[herpenmaderp]

@Ideazonqa no. an M875 shell is completely different then white phosphorus. the M875 is leagal because it is used as smokescreen. but they are using deadly chemical compounds to intentionally kill civilians. God is not like this.

[herpenmaderp]

@Metsada007 was bound and beaten for thirty minutes. he was then shot by an Israeli soldier. what is that. PEACE, LOVE, AND DEMOCRACY MY ASS.

[herpenmaderp]

@Metsada007 hey. hey fucking dumbass. israel is dropping WHITE PHOSPHORUS on civilian locations simply because they don't like the civilians. is this what God wants? no. no it is not. anyone who sees the horror of palestinian civilians being cooked alive or having gaping holes of which their intestines are sliding out will question God because it seems as if He is allowing them to do that. And you call the a peaceful people? fuck you. not to long ago, a peaceful protester in Palestine

[jaguar4u2012]

After the movie "AYRILIK" you cant believe a thing the Muslims say

theya re so full of shit and lies!

[Metsada007]

NO !!! Israel would never do such things. Israel is all about peace, love and democracy :D Anyone who disagrees is an antisemite...

[crookesx3]

@skjoyner TRUE!!!