Gaza's burn victims add to pressure on army over phosphorus

[DogPoundPup]

Pressure grew on Israel to end the use of controversial white phosphorus yesterday as The Times saw more evidence of its deployment around civilian populations in Gaza.

More than 50 people with burns were taken into Nasser Hospital in the southern town of Khan Yunis, in what the hospital director, Youssef Abu Al-Reesh, said was a massive case of exposure to white phosphorus.

“We don’t have the medical experience to judge these cases, but we searched the internet according to the cases we have, and it indeed confirmed that it’s white phosphorus munitions. I have been working in this hospital for ten years and I have never seen anything like this.”

The 1980 Geneva treaty says that white phosphorus should not be used as a weapon of war in civilian areas, but there is no blanket ban on its use as a smokescreen or for illumination. It produces a thick white smoke when exposed to oxygen, but can cause severe burns and melt flesh to the bone if it comes into contact with skin.

excerpt~
When first questioned by The Times last week an Israeli military spokesman “categorically denied” using white phosphorus in Gaza. In a statement issued yesterday the spokesman’s office said: “We don’t specify operational details, nor the type of ammunition that we use, but any ammunition that is used by the IDF is within the scope of international law.”

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article5497338.ece

Israeli official categorically DENIED using white phosphorous. Isn't that their usual emmo, categorically deny till the truth is presented?

[subsuelo]

1. They still lie even after truths are uncovered and well known

And why not? Who's going to stop them?

[DogPoundPup]

3. Who's going to stop them? umm, umm, umm...you have a point

sad to say.

Sick isn't it? They seem to own everyone.

[WHEN CRABS ROAR]

2. All governments lie and deny until being found out otherwise.

Thats the nature of the beast, lie first.

[Idealism]

4. Did they ever admit to using it in Lebanon?