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Israel uses phosphorus shells as smokescreen for troops
Robert Mendick, Chief Reporter05.01.09
ISRAELI forces are using white phosphorus shells which can cause horrific burns, it was claimed today.
The weapon, seen above over the northern Gaza strip,provides cover to advancing ground troops by creating a huge smokescreen, shielding soldiers from incoming fire. Phosphorous shells can also illuminate large areas when used at night. It is highly flammable and ignites on contact with oxygen. If it hits someone's body, it will burn until deprived of oxygen.
Under the Geneva Treaty of 1980, white phosphorous is banned as a weapon of war in civilian areas because of the severe injuries it causes. But there is no blanket ban under international law and white phosphorous can be used legitimately as a smokescreen. However, its alleged deployment in Gaza, one of the world's most densely populated territories, will cause concern. Indications that white phosphorous is being used in Gaza follow the sighting of thick white smoke in the sky above the Palestinian territory.
The Times claimed today its "tell-tale" smoke trail was evidence of its deployment. But the Israeli military denied the allegation. "Israel uses munitions that are allowed for under international law," said Captain Ishai David, spokesman for the Israel Defence Forces. However, during the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict, Tel Aviv stated that it had used phosphorous shells "against military targets in open ground" in south Lebanon.
British and the US also used the weapon in Iraq. So-called "shake and bake" - a mixture of white phosphorous and high explosive - was used in Fallujah in 2004.
Although there was some initial reluctance by the American military to admit deploying the substance, a US Department of State website later said white phosphorous shells "were used in Fallujah not for illumination but for screening purposes, i.e. obscuring troop movements".
Reader views (19)
This needs to stop
- Farah, London, Canada
liad, Hafera, Israel - I saw it happening, the smoke wasn't there.
Brilliant, more smoke and mirrors from the israeli ministry of propaganda
- James Hennessy, london england
It's ridiculous to pretend that Israel is always doing the correct thing and that it can cause no harm.
- Emilio Helguera, Mexico City, Mexico
I just feel sorry for the average person trying to live in this forgotten land. Children, babies, men and women will suffer as always.
Those who are to blame will hide, they will not suffer. One can only hope that one day judgement will come to all war mongers.
- Simon, West Midlands
this is non sence. Israel would never do a thing like this. This is just propaganda.
- Emeka, Arizona
this is sooooooooooooo fake!
I SAW it happening, that smoke wasn't there
- Liad, Hafera, Israel
I am neither Jewish, Palestinian, Arab or Muslim....but I have researched my history and like it or not the Palestinian people where in (what is now) Israel long long long before the Israelites. The two parties have been fighting over this land for thousands of years and I for one am SICK OF IT.
- Richard C., Fort Worth, Texas, United States of America
I suppose comparing it to the invasion of Iraq would be out-of-order Messrs Brown and Blair and Bush. WMDs and rockets etc.
- Frederick, London UK
If, God forbid, Israelis were on the receiving end, every single Jew in the world would be crying genocide, holocaust,racism etc. and, of course, mighty US would find one thousand and one reason to intervene and save their "friend".
Trouble is, it is only Palestine, they have nobody to turn to for help and nobody sees any interest(what's in it for me), so nobody does anything other than verbal condemnation which isn't going to stop Mickey Mouse let alone a mighty Israeli army.
- Frank Spencer, Sevenoaks, UK
The Hamas is responsible for their invasion by the continuing barrage of rockets & mortar's. Israel got sick & tired of that and retaliated. Good for them. they should not stop until the Hamas is totally defeated and gone. There is no other way to handle the situation.
- John, Phoenix
What does it matter if hundreds die if Ms Livni wins the election ?
- Kenneth Widmerpool, Bath, UK
Killing kids, dropping burning phosphorous on civilians, stealing land - no wonder Israel has such problems with its neighbours.
- Austen, London
So 6,000 rockets into Israeli civilian towns is okay, no problem, but THIS,THIS....we must condemn Israel. The anti Israeli/racist remarks from UK commentators these days is very obvious and very worrying to people who care about the truth. I am not Jewish but I am someone who thinks the truth matters.
- Kr, Florence Italy
The lessons of Monte Cassino and Stalingrad have not been learned. All that you do if you bomb is that you create fortifications which are easily defended. WP will do little to help IDF but will just further inflame matters.
- James Ritchie, new malden, surrey, UK
Nobody should be surprised by this,after the Israeli's were given a lesson in hand to hand combat in the lebanon they resorted to using cluster and bunker bursting bombs in the built up areas there.
- James Hennessy, london england
these are without doubt WP rounds. They burst in the air to give maximum ground cover. Compare with the 1921 photo in Wikipedia of a test over the USS Alabama. BBC video shows image of pale grey WP colour coded rounds stacked with yellow HE rounds beside an IDF mobile artillery piece.
- Jock, Edinburgh UK
I wonder if all this so called (cause for concern) would be arround if the shoe were on the other foot?
- David Nigel Braham, Milan Italy
The picture shows them bursting high in the air - how is this generating a smoke screen for ground troops ? To do that it must burst on the ground. But here the burning debris is clearly falling in an uncontrolled way and will inevitably land in civilian areas - that is what is banned by the Geneva Convention.
- Peter Haldane, London
Roll on January 20 - Mr Obama, Mrs Clinton, we're watching and waiting...
- Karli, Tottenham, London
