Jan 11 2009
Israel uses white phosphorous against civilians in Gaza
Ten burn victims are lying in Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, Gaza right now with parts of their faces melting off due to Israel’s use of white phosphorous in highly populated Gaza areas.
While the use of white phosphorous on the battlefield isn’t illegal, the use of it in civilian areas is, as it can cause serious burns if it touches the skin and can spark fires on the ground.
Israel will neither confirm nor deny whether it is using the chemical agent.
“What we’re saying is the use of white phosphorus in densely populated areas like a refugee camp is showing that the Israelis are not taking all feasible precautions,” said Marc Garlasco, a senior military analyst for the rights group. “It’s just an unnecessary risk to the civilian population, not only in the potential for wounds but also for burning homes and infrastructure.”
For fifteen days now Gaza residents have been subject to brutal bombings and chemical warfare from Israeli troops. Please join me in the call for an immediate cease-fire. The brutality has to stop.
Reuters photo by Suhaib Salem.
This is sad. This conflict needs to end.
If both sides continue to ignore a call for ceasefire I dread to think how this conflict will end up.
I don’t know what’s happening here. As much as Hamas has a responsibility in this, I feel like the Israelis are taking advantage of the carte blanche given them by the U.S. I’d hate to imagine what Israel would do if Hamas used white phosphorous against Israeli citizens. Why are we so complacent with Israel?
I feel the same way you do Optimist. I don’t want to condone Hamas and their actions, but I definitely feel the same way about Israel. And let’s face it, what Hamas did to Israel pales in comparison to what Israel is doing to the Gaza people right now.
What was it some really bright person said last week? “An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind”… Well two wrongs do not make any of this right. White phosphorus? Dear God. ~k