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The War Profiteers - War Crimes,
Kidnappings & Torture |
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January 11th,
2009 - Israel Denies Banned Weapons Use |
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Israel Denies Banned Weapons
Use From BBC News January 11, 2009 Medics in Gaza say latest
casualties include at least 60 people affected by suspected phosphorus shells
fired illegally near civilian areas. An Israeli army spokeswoman
strongly denied the report, saying all its munitions complied with the law. An Israeli spokesman also
denied Human Rights Watch allegations of multiple use of white phosphorus in
the bombing. Phosphorus shells are
allowed to make smoke in battlefields. Their use where civilians may be
harmed is prohibited. Palestinian medics in Khan
Younis said the Israelis fired phosphorus shells at Khouza, east of the
southern city, killing a woman and causing at least 60 people to suffer gas
inhalation and burns. "These people were
burned over their bodies in a way that can only be caused by white
phosphorus," said Dr Yousef Abu Rish. Human Rights Watch said its
researches observed multiple shell-bursts of white phosphorus on 9 and 10
January near Gaza City and Jabaliya refugee camp. There is no way
independently to explain the contradiction between the Israeli military's
denial and claims by Dr Abu Rish as well as other Palestinian doctors and
HRW. Israel has prevented
international journalists from entering the Gaza Strip during its
bombardment. HRW cited numerous photos
and video of the Israeli bombardment appearing to show the characteristic
outline of white phosphorus shells. It acknowledged the weapons
appeared to have been used legally to make smoke screens to hide troop
movements, but warned of the risk to Palestinian civilians. "White phosphorus can
burn down houses and cause horrific burns when it touches the skin,"
said Human Rights Watch analyst Marc Garlasco. The Israeli army said
operational secrecy prevented disclosure of its weaponry, but emphasised it
"only employs weapons permitted by international law". White phosphorus sticks to
human skin and will burn right through to the bone, causing death or leaving
survivors with painful wounds which are slow to heal. The international convention
on the use of incendiary weapons says it should not be used where civilians
are concentrated. Controversial use The US military in Iraq
admitted using white phosphorus as a weapon in the assault on Falluja in 2004
- after initial denials, although it insisted the use was legal. Afterwards, officials for
the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons stressed white
phosphorus use was permissible only if it was to produce smoke. However, if its "toxic
or caustic properties" are specifically intended to be used as a weapon,
it would be considered a chemical rather than incendiary weapon and therefore
would be banned. The Israeli military has
used phosphorus shells in the past, during its bombardment of Lebanon in
2006. Minister Jacob Edery told
the Israeli parliament after the 2006 war: "The [Israeli Defence Forces]
holds phosphorus munitions in different forms... [and] made use of phosphorus
shells during the war against Hezbollah in attacks against military targets
in open ground." The Israeli military was
strongly criticised for some of its tactics in 2006, including the widespread
use of cluster munitions in the final hours before a ceasefire came into
effect. External link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7823078.stm |