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The War Profiteers - War Crimes,
Kidnappings & Torture |
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October 23rd,
2006 - Israel Admits it Used Phosphorus Weapons |
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Israel Admits it Used Phosphorus
Weapons By Conal Urquhart The Guardian October 23, 2006 The Israeli government has
admitted that it used controversial phosphorus weapons in its attacks against
targets during its month long war in Lebanon this summer. The chemical can be used in
shells, missiles and grenades and causes horrific burning when it comes into
contact with human flesh. White phosphorus (WP)
weapons are not forbidden by international law but some human rights groups
believe they should be re-classified as chemical weapons and banned. The Israeli admission was
made by the cabinet minister, Jacob Edery, who was questioned on the subject
by Zahava Gal-On, a member of the Knesset. Mr Edery told Ms Gal-On:
"The IDF [Israel Defence Force] holds phosphorus munitions in different
forms. The IDF made use of phosphorus shells during the war against Hizbullah
in attacks against military targets in open ground." Ms Gal-On said that her
original question to the government related to suspicions that Israel has
been using experimental weapons in Gaza so she was surprised when she was
offered a confirmation that Israel had used phosphorus weapons in Lebanon.
"My original question was about the use of Dime [dense inert metal
explosives] weapons by Israel in Gaza but instead I was given the answer to a
different question," she said. "The use of phosphorus weapons in
Lebanon is shocking and unacceptable." Mr Edery said that the
Israeli army uses phosphorus weapons according to the rules of international
law. However, there have been numerous reports that Israeli phosphorus
munitions injured and killed civilians in Lebanon. The war began on July 12
when Hizbullah abducted two Israeli soldiers from the Israel-Lebanon border.
Israeli forces entered Lebanon in pursuit and launched air strikes on
Lebanon. Hizbullah then began firing rockets into northern Israel. Throughout the war, Israel
was accused of using controversial weapons, including WP and cluster
munitions against civilian targets. Both sides were accused of war crimes in
their attacks on civilians by the human rights group, Human Rights Watch. Unexploded cluster bombs in
Lebanon have regularly killed and maimed civilians since the end of the war.
Rami Ali Hussein Shibly, 12, was killed and his nine-year-old brother
brother, Khodr, injured yesterday by a cluster bomb as they picked olives in
Halta. He was 21st person to be killed by the bomblets since the fighting
ended. WP is used by armies for
producing smoke screens and as an incendiary. The phosphorus ignites on
contact with air and gives off a thick smoke. If the chemical touches skin it
will continue to burn until it reaches the bone unless deprived of oxygen. Many soldiers believe that
white phosphorous grenades are more effective in clearing buildings than
those that use high explosive because they are more likely to disable the
targets. Amir Peretz, the Israeli
defence minister said yesterday that Israel would continue to carry out
reconnaissance flights over Lebanon because Hizbullah continues to smuggle
arms from Syria. The United Nations has criticised Israel for its continued
violations of Lebanese air space. External link: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2006/oct/23/israel |