Israel admits troops may have used phosphorus shells in Gaza

[kpete]

Source: Guardian UK


Israel has admitted – after mounting pressure – that its troops may have used white phosphorus shells in contravention of international law, during its three-week offensive in the Gaza Strip.

One of the places most seriously affected by the use of white phosphorus was the main UN compound in Gaza City, which was hit by three shells on 15 January. The same munition was used in a strike on the al-Quds hospital in Gaza City the same day.

Under review by Colonel Shai Alkalai is the use of white phosphorus by a reserve paratroop brigade in northern Israel.

According to army sources the brigade fired up to 20 phosphorus shells in a heavily built-up area around the Gaza township of Beit Lahiya, one of the worst hit areas of Gaza.



Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jan/21/gaza-phosph...

[thewiseguy]

1. What do they mean by maybe?

They either used it or did not use it. You mean to tell me they do not know what they used?

[dipsydoodle]

6. Phosphorus is an element

and as such traces will remain. So - ultimately there won't be any doubt as to whether or not it was used .

Given that use of such shells is akin to chemical warfare proof would make it a War Crime by Israel.

[Recursion]

22. Well, no. It's nothing like a chemical agent

It's an incendiary. It serves the same purpose as napalm. It sets stuff on fire.

[Renew Deal]

2. How did we know?

Maybe the pictures of those big white streaming explosions? It looked just like Fallujah.

Here's the picture:



http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

Picture form Fallujah:

[HysteryDiagnosis]

13. Exactly. n/t

[orleans]

3. from the pictures that i saw--they definately were using the shit. n/t

[Idealism]

4. So the army admits to using it on a heavily populated township...

Isn't that by definition an illegal use of WP?

[madrchsod]

7. yes or no..it depends what side one is on

ya it`s illegal by definition

[Idealism]

9. But if you are backed by the US, you are safe from the law

Israel should have been forced to sign the Non-proliferation treaty by the US (because our military aid to them violates the Proxmire amendment of the NPT if they don't sign the treaty), they should have been made to sign the Cluster bomb treaty, and the ICC/ICJ signatory as well. They have set up the country to not be accountable for anything they do.

[Recursion]

23. What's "illegal by definition?"

Where did this "white phosphorous is illegal" idea get started?

[tridim]

5. War crimes for BushCo, war crimes for BushCo's Israel

What are we waiting for? Arrest them all.

[Barrett808]

8. "May have used"? They were bragging about it...then they weren't.

I remember an interview in which an IDF guy was talking about using white phosphorus to produce smoke, to cover their troop movements.

Right.

[hadrons]

10. But remember, they weren't using to hurt anyone ....

so says the media

[RCinBrooklyn]

11. Prosecute for War Crimes and remove the criminal regime - by force if necessary.

[harmonicon]

12. Israel break international law?! Noooooo.... you don't say!!!

fuckers.

[Hissyspit]

14. You heard it here (DU) first.

Definitely before you heard on the American mainstream corporate media.

[DogPoundPup]

15. oops-5 recs. NOTHING WITH ISRAEL IN TITLE is suited for Latest Breaking News

sorry

EVEN if it IS latest breaking news, sorry again

[truebrit71]

16. Are you serious? WTF?

..that makes no sense...

[DogPoundPup]

18. Well, it's up to the mods discretion...

but all the Israel articles posted today have been tossed over here.

[truebrit71]

19. Fucking bullshit if you ask me...

..

[Name removed]

24. Deleted message

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[azurnoir]

17. The key quote here

Israel has admitted – after mounting pressure – that its troops may have used white phosphorus shells in contravention of international law, during its three-week offensive in the Gaza Strip.

this "admission" was IMO planned well in advance and Israel will shield those officers from international law by "prosecuting" them in Israel having them sentenced in front of the media spotlight and then when the cameras go away quietly commuting those sentences

[zelta gaisma]

20. USA gets away with torture , Israel figures they can get away with breaking international law too

[Name removed]

21. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[uppityperson]

25. Will they say "it was only meant for lighting and only incidentally by accident hurt anyone"

"if they wouldn't have been there, they wouldn't have gotten hurt". Will they say that?

[bemildred]

26. Are we supposed to believe that the IDF does not know whether it used WP or not? nt