Human Rights Watch accused Israel on Thursday of using white phosphorus munitions in its military operations in Gaza and Lebanon, saying the use of such weapons puts civilians at risk of serious and long-term injury.
Asked to comment on the allegations, Israel’s military said it “currently has no knowledge of the use of weapons containing white phosphorus in Gaza.”
It did not provide comment on the human rights watchdog’s allegations about its use in Lebanon.
Israel has been bombing Gaza in retaliation for the Hamas attack on the country’s southern cities, which killed at least 1,300 people this week. At least 1,500 Palestinians were killed.
Israel also exchanged barbs with the Lebanese group Hezbollah.
The organization said it verified videos taken in Lebanon on October 10 and in Gaza on October 11, showing “multiple aerial explosions of white phosphorus fired by artillery over the port of Gaza City and two rural locations along the Israel-Lebanon border.” ”.
It provided links to two videos posted on social media that it said showed “155mm white phosphorus artillery shells being used, apparently as a smoke screen, marking or signaling.”
Both show scenes near the border between Israel and Lebanon, he said.
The group did not provide links to videos showing its alleged use in Gaza.
Palestinian TV channels have broadcast videos in recent days showing thin clouds of white smoke covering the sky over Gaza, which they say were caused by such munitions.
Historic
Israel’s military said in 2013 that it was phasing out white phosphorus smokescreen munitions used during its 2008-2009 offensive in Gaza, prompting accusations of war crimes from several human rights groups.
The military at the time did not say whether they would also review the use of white phosphorus as a weapon, which is intended to incinerate enemy positions.
White phosphorus munitions can be legally used on battlefields to create smoke screens, generate lighting, mark targets or burn bunkers and buildings.
Because it has legal uses, white phosphorus is not prohibited as a chemical weapon by international conventions, but it can cause serious burns and start fires.
White phosphorus is considered an incendiary weapon under Protocol III of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons.
The protocol prohibits the use of incendiary weapons against military targets located among civilians, although Israel has not signed it and is not bound by it.
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Source: CNN Brasil
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