Israel admits using white phosphorus during Gaza fight | Birmingham Star

Israel admits using white phosphorus during Gaza fight

Birmingham Star Monday 1st February, 2010

Two senior officers in the Israeli Defence Force have been reprimanded for using white phosphorus during an offensive in Gaza.

While the identities of the officers or their punishments have not been made public, the admissions were made in a document answering allegations from the Goldstone report.

The report, which was made to the UN, while not detailed, simply explained that the officers who had been dealt with were a brigadier-general and a colonel who had authorised the firing of shells in violation of the rules of engagement prohibiting use of such artillery near populated areas.

During the 22-day conflict last year, pictures were released showed incendiary shells hitting a UN compound.

The Goldstone report concluded both Israel and Hamas had committed war crimes, although Hamas has denied that its forces deliberately targeted civilians with rockets.