Amnesty International Accuses Israel of War Crimes and Calls on Obama To Suspend Military Shipments

The Nobel Prize winning organization Amnesty International has accused Israel of committing war crimes during its attack on the Gaza Strip. The allegations largely center on the use of white phosphorous that was dropped by IDF aircraft. The group is now calling on President Obama to suspend military shipments and sales to Israel.

Israel has condemned for its use of white phosphorus was dropped by IDF aircraft in crowed civilian areas, causing extensive injuries and fires. Various groups insisted that such use violate the Geneva Convention on the use of incendiary devices.

AI’s investigation confirmed the use of the material. Christopher Cobb-Smith, a weapons expert observed:

“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 army. White phosphorus is a weapon intended to provide a smokescreen for troop movements on the battlefield. It is highly incendiary, air burst and its spread effect is such that it that should never be used on civilian areas”.

The United States is accused of supplying the weapons to Israel.

IA said fact-finding missions had unearthed evidence that Israeli troops “used white phosphorus and other weapons supplied by the USA to carry out serious violations of international humanitarian law, including war crimes”.

For the statement of Amnesty International, click here.

For a full story, click here