Inquiry launched into white phosphorus use

Thursday, January 22: After continually denying reports that they were illegally using white phosphorus shells during the 22-day offensive in Gaza, the Israeli military has now announced that it has launched an inquiry into their use.

As reported here during the conflict, the use of white phosphorus is acceptable on the battlefield to create a smokescreen for advancing troops.

But its use is banned under the 1980 Geneva treaty in densely populated areas such as Gaza, because it it can caused terrible skins burns. The injuries it has caused in Gaza have brought back memories of the effects of napalm used by the Americans in the Vietnam war.

The IDF (Israeli Defence Forces) has also announced that it will not be divulging the names of battalion commanders who oversaw the battle in Gaza. They fear the officers could risk arrest and prosecution for war crimes if they travel abroad in the future.

In 2005, an Israeli general, Doron Almog, was warned not to leave his aircraft at Heathrow after a tip-off that British police were waiting to arrest him for his orders to destroy Palestinian homes in southern Gaza.

LAST UPDATED 8:47 AM, JANUARY 22, 2009