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July 21st,
2010 - Israel to Restrict Use of White Phosphorus Munitions |
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Israel to Restrict
Use of White Phosphorus Munitions By Patrick Moser Agence France Presse July 21, 2010 Jerusalem - Israel will
restrict its use of white phosphorus munitions and seek to limit civilian
casualties in future wars, it said in a report to the UN secretary general
released this week. "The IDF (Israel
Defence Forces) chief of general staff ordered the establishment of a clear
doctrine and orders on the issue of various munitions which contain white
phosphorous," said the 37-page report, posted on the Israeli foreign
ministry's website. "These instructions are
currently being implemented." It said the military has
also implemented changes in combat doctrine designed "to further
minimise civilian casualties and damage to civilian property in the
future." It said that a
"humanitarian affairs officer" would be integrated in each combat
unit, from battalion level up. Chief of Staff Lieutenant
General Gabi Ashkenazi has also ordered that troops be trained to deal with
"specific humanitarian aspects, including involving prevention of harm
to medical crews, facilities and vehicles." Israel has faced sharp
condemnation for the high civilian toll and the use of white phosphorus
munitions in the devastating 22-day offensive it launched in December 2008 in
response to daily rocket attacks by Gaza's Hamas rulers and other Palestinian
armed groups. Human rights groups say that
more than half of the 1,400 Palestinians killed in the war did not take part
in the hostilities, including 320 minors. Rights groups also say
Israel made widespread use of white phosphorus and that Gaza hospitals had
been inundated with victims of white phosphorus burns. Under international law,
white phosphorus is banned for use near civilians, but is permitted for
creating a smokescreen. The Israeli armed forces
insist they did their utmost to avoid civilian casualties. While Israel sharply rejects
claims from the UN probe led by South African judge Richard Goldstone that
its forces committed war crimes during the war, or targeted civilians, it
admits some "mistakes" were made. The report said the military
has initiated a total of 47 criminal investigations into specific incidents
during the Cast Lead offensive, and that some have resulted in criminal
indictments and trials. It cited among others the
case of two soldiers indicted for forcing a nine-year-old boy at gunpoint to
check bags they believed might be rigged with explosives. The report, which has been
delivered to the office of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, also points out
that Israel's military conducted a review of its operations in Gaza in the
wake of the offensive. The report is an update of a
similar document issued in January. "It shows we are acting
with full transparency and want to cooperate with the UN and the
international community," said foreign affairs spokesman Ygal Palmor. Copyright © 2010 AFP. External link: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gxM65gROoRgDP6VFXb7UQbtsCBGQ |