Reuters image from Sunday. Reuters does not identify shell as containing white phosphorus. But, from the Times of London:
Israel is believed to be using controversial white phosphorus shells to screen
its assault on the heavily populated Gaza Strip yesterday. The weapon, used
by British and US forces in Iraq, can cause horrific burns but is not
illegal if used as a smokescreen.
As the Israeli army stormed to the edges of Gaza City and the Palestinian
death toll topped 500, the tell-tale shells could be seen spreading
tentacles of thick white smoke to cover the troopsâ advance. âThese
explosions are fantastic looking, and produce a great deal of smoke that
blinds the enemy so that our forces can move in,â said one Israeli security
expert. Burning blobs of phosphorus would cause severe injuries to anyone
caught beneath them…
The use of the weapon in the Gaza Strip, one of the worldâs mostly densely
population areas, is likely to ignite yet more controversy over Israelâs
offensive, in which more than 2,300 Palestinians have been wounded.
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: âIf white phosphorus was deliberately fired at a crowd of people
someone would end up in The Hague. White phosphorus is also a terror weapon.
The descending blobs of phosphorus will burn when in contact with skin.â
Thanks to Rupa Shah.
