[Guardian-UK] Uri Dromi - White phosphorous is a chemical substance dispersed in artillery shells, used primarily to conceal the movement of troops. It burns on contact with oxygen and creates a smokescreen to mask the military maneuver. Unfortunately, when it comes into contact with people, it causes severe burns. This weapon is not banned by international law. When the Israeli army used it in Gaza, it did nothing unprecedented. As Peter Herby, the head of the Red Cross' mines-arms unit, told AP: "It's not very unusual to use phosphorus to create smoke or illuminate a target." Remember Fallujah in Iraq? In 2004, U.S. forces destroyed one out of every four dwellings, killing 1,350 fighters and an undisclosed number of civilians. No one blamed the U.S. for war crimes, and no one dared threaten to drag American generals to tribunals at The Hague. In Gaza, phone calls were made to specific residents to leave their homes because Hamas terrorists operated from there and thus turned them into military targets (you call your enemy and implore him to leave the area so he is not hurt). No other army in the world goes to such lengths to try not to hurt civilians.
2009-02-26 06:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive