Gaza victims' burns increase concern over phosphorus
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article5470047.eceRights group: Israel uses white phosphorus in Gaza
http://www.blnz.com/news/2009/01/11/Rights_group_Israel_uses_white_1243.htmlJASON KEYSER
AP Features
Jan 11, 2009 15:41 EST
"Human Rights Watch said Sunday that Israel's military has fired artillery shells with the incendiary agent white phosphorus into Gaza and a doctor there said the chemical was suspected in the case of 10 burn victims who had skin peeling off their faces and bodies.
Researchers in Israel from the rights group witnessed hours of artillery bombardments that sent trails of burning smoke indicating white phosphorus over the Jebaliya refugee camp in northern Gaza. But they could not confirm injuries on the ground because they have been barred from entering the territory.
The chief doctor at Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza said he treated several victims there with serious burns that might have been caused by phosphorus. He said, however, that he did not have the resources or expertise to say with certainty what caused the injuries...
Israel used white phosphorus in its 34-day war with Hezbollah in Lebanon in 2006. The U.S. military in Iraq used the incendiary during a November 2004 operation against insurgents in the city of Fallujah..."