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Red Cross: Israel's use of white phosphorus not illegal
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by 158 | January 13, 2009 at 01:20 pm
401 views | 4 Recommendations | 14 comments
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In the Gaza war as in most wars
facts are being lost in a flood of
propaganda, with each side trying
to demonize the other without
regard to truth, where every horrible
rumor is published as fact.
The international Red Cross said Tuesday that Israel has fired white phosphorus shells in its offensive in the Gaza Strip, but has no evidence to suggest it is being used improperly or illegally.
The comments came after a human rights organization accused the Jewish state of using the incendiary agent, which ignites when it strikes the skin and burns straight through or until it is cut off from oxygen. It can cause horrific injuries.
White phosphorus is not considered a chemical weapon.
"In some of the strikes in Gaza it's pretty clear that phosphorus was used," Herby told The Associated Press. "But it's not very unusual to use phosphorus to create smoke or illuminate a target. We have no evidence to suggest it's being used in any other way."
In response, the IDF said Tuesday that it "wishes to reiterate that it uses weapons in compliance with international law, while strictly observing that they be used in accordance with the type of combat and its characteristics."
Herby said that using phosphorus to illuminate a target or create smoke is legitimate under international law, and that there was no evidence the Jewish state was intentionally using phosphorus in a questionable way, such as burning down buildings or consciously putting civilians at risk.
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (14)
at 03:17 on January 14th, 2009
Geneva Convention, not valid for Israel, breaking all human rules. It is Illegal to use toxic phosphor over populated cities like Gaza;
Only over non-civilian area to use where are the troops.
The rest Manipulation of Headlines. Red cross never said "Israel use of white phosphoroues (psl add: against civilians) not illegal
Red cross is not a Israeli smart massacre justifier.
With such headlines you put Israeli poulation in a corner, where they are not. The Fundamentalists in Israel, who decided for a final Genocide of Palestines over Hamas accuse have to be hold reponsible for Genocide, not the normal population in Israel, just having fear and used for genocide war
at 13:40 on January 13th, 2009
Wiki link.
at 05:42 on January 14th, 2009
Solarlife,
How does one respond to your unbelievable statements. They arer so filled with hatred and anger. You got to listen and breathe a little and see that you are not always right. You can't be making hatefilled statements about a population and country with old canards and racist origins. You know better then that.
at 06:46 on January 14th, 2009
Thanks for the link.
Any weapon designed to kill is horrible. A regular mortor shell explodes and sends metal heated to hundreds of degrees tearing through flesh.
Not pleasant either.
at 06:51 on January 14th, 2009
I favor neither side in this and the headline is not mine.
It is not illegal to use it against armed fighters. It is illegal if civilians are targeted.
It is also illegal for armed fighters to hide among civilians so there is blame for both sides.
GENOCIDE? 800 killed in a month of war. If Israel was genocidial they could have easily killed a million Gazans by now.
at 07:11 on January 14th, 2009
Tikun, in this war as in most wars, many people speak from emotion, not facts.
at 07:31 on January 14th, 2009
My understanding is that they are primarily used as flares in the night in order to light up the skies.
at 07:47 on January 14th, 2009
That is true. But it can be used against armed enemies and if those enemies are hiding among civilians then civilians will be injured also. If civilians are specificallt targeted, by WP or by rockets, then it is a war crime.
at 12:21 on January 16th, 2009
[edited comment for violation of our COC]
at 15:41 on January 16th, 2009
YOU HAVE BEEN REPORTED FOR THIS.
The comment stated Jews should be eliminated, and much more. I welcome all comments and oppose censorship but this comment was far over the line.
NP deleted it.
THIS IS FAR OVER THE .INE AND WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.
at 15:24 on January 16th, 2009
That is one viewpoint, not mine.
at 15:28 on January 17th, 2009
at 15:34 on January 17th, 2009
Hamas leader--We will eradicate Israel.
Hamas foreign minister--Murdering Israeli children is legitimate.Hitler killed 6 million Jews. Do you dare compare that tl Israeli killing 1000 in a war started by Hamas. You need to read history.Gaza s tragic but far from a holocaust.
at 21:29 on January 22nd, 2009
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article5447590.ece
"The Geneva Treaty of 1980 stipulates that white phosphorus should not be used as a weapon of war in civilian areas, but there is no blanket ban under international law on its use as a smokescreen or for illumination. However, Charles Heyman, a military expert and former major in the British Army, said: “If white phosphorus was deliberately fired at a crowd of people someone would end up in The Hague."