Amnesty International Accuses Israel of Using White Prosphorous in Civilian Areas in Violation of International Law

Amnesty International has entered the controversy over Israel’s alleged use of white phosphorus in civilian areas of the Gaza Strip. The use of white phosphorus in a civilian area — let alone a compacted urban area like Gaza — would violate international law. Amnesty’s own investigation found what it claims to be clear evidence of such violations.

The UN and Human Rights Watch previously accused Israel of the violations and now Amnesty has joined the call.

Christopher Cobb-Smitt, a weapons expert with the Amnesty team in Gaza.”Yesterday, we saw streets and alleyways littered with evidence of the use of white phosphorus, including still-burning wedges and the remnants of the shells and canisters fired by the Israeli arm.”

The Israel forces have been accused of burning a critical U.N. warehouse in Gaza and causing a high number of phosphorous burns on civilians, including children.
In the case of the compound, three rounds of phosphorous were identified and came close to hitting fuel storage areas. Human Rights Watch also said it observed “dozens and dozens” of white phosphorus shells being fired by Israel at the Gaza Strip.

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