Israel admits phosphorous bombs used in Lebanon

Israel have admitted that they used white phosphorous bombs during their 34 day war with Lebanon. This is the first time Israel have ever admitted using such weapons.

The weapons, which cause horrific skin burns that may lead to death, are not illegal under international law, although many groups - including the International Red Cross - have pushed for their use to be made illegal against any human target. However, the Geneva Conventions does ban the use of white phosphorous both as an incendiary weapon against civilians and in air attacks against military forces in civilian areas.

Israel would not confirm whether or not the weapons were used in civilian areas, stating only that Israel had used them "according to international law".

However, during the war against Lebanon many Lebanese doctors reported treating civilians suffering from wounds consistent with the use of white phosphorous in just such areas.

Nor are the Israelis the only people to have used such weapons. The US used them during their campaign in Fallujah, despite initially denying that they had done so.

The effects of such weapons on humans is horrific:

Incandescent particles of WP cast off by a WP weapon's initial explosion can produce extensive, deep (second and third degree), painful burns. Phosphorus burns carry a greater risk of mortality than other forms of burns due to the absorption of phosphorus into the body through the burned area, resulting in liver, heart and kidney damage, and in some cases multi-organ failure. These weapons are particularly dangerous to exposed people because white phosphorus continues to burn unless deprived of oxygen or until it is completely consumed, in some cases burning right down to the bone.

There are many who have argued that white phosphorous is actually a chemical weapon and, as such, should be banned. Indeed, the American Department of Defence actually labelled white phosphorous a "chemical weapon" during a report in which they condemned Saddam for using this very substance on the Kurds in 1991.

"DURING THE BRUTAL CRACKDOWN THAT FOLLOWED THE KURDISH UPRISING, IRAQI FORCES LOYAL TO PRESIDENT SADDAM ((HUSSEIN)) MAY HAVE POSSIBLY USED WHITE PHOSPHOROUS (WP) CHEMICAL WEAPONS AGAINST KURDISH REBELS AND THE POPULACE IN ERBIL ... AND DOHUK ... PROVINCES, IRAQ. THE WP CHEMICAL WAS DELIVERED BY ARTILLERY ROUNDS AND HELICOPTER GUNSHIPS (NO FURTHER INFORMATION AT THIS TIME)."

I'm sure the irony will be lost on no-one that the country that invaded Iraq looking for chemical and biological weapons found itself using "chemical weapons" against Iraqi insurgents. And now we find it's greatest ally following suit.

It really does appear to be one rule for America and it's allies and another rule for the rest of the planet.

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tag: United, States, Israel, Lebanon, chemical weapons, white phosphorous, illegality