Human Rights Watch said they had clear
evidence to the effect that Israel used white
phosphorus bombs in its war on Gaza,
although it was aware of the danger for the civilian population, causing death and injury of civilians. The United Nations called for an investigation at the highest levels of the Israeli violations.
Fred Abrams, a researcher in the organization, confirmed while participating in the press conference that "the facts and the
evidence indicate that the purpose behind some of these incidents was not the creation of a military cover, but the use of white
phosphorus for combustion.
International law permits the use of phosphorus munitions to cover the movements of troops on the battlefield, but prohibits their use in populated areas.
Later in an interview with al-Jazeera satellite, Abrams said that his organization had depended in the preparation of its report – which it called rains of fire - on research it carried out in the Gaza Strip, adding that his organization went to Gaza after the cessation of hostilities, and that it had established the extensive use of white phosphorous shells in populated areas in Tel el-Hawa and many other areas, which is in violation of international humanitarian law.
Politicization of justice
Abrams expressed surprise at the arrest warrant against Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir by the International Criminal Court, and the absence of any action against Israel, which he described as "hypocrisy and double standards", and called not to politicize justice.
Israel has targeted many schools in the Gaza Strip, including those of the United Nations, which "is tantamount to war crimes"; he said, adding that the decision of the use of phosphorous munitions was a policy which extends to the highest level, not at the level of soldiers and officers in the field only.
The report says that Israel's use of white phosphorus shells has caused the death and injury of many civilians and the destruction of many buildings including a school, a hospital and a warehouse, which belong to UNRWA.
In reference to the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), the spokesman said the rocket launches constitute a war crime, but added at the same time, there is no evidence that the movement used civilians and children as human shields.
Internal memorandum
The report confirms that Israel had advanced knowledge of the effects that may result from use of these weapons, and this is further evidence of acts of engaging in war crimes against the population of the Gaza Strip.
The report quotes an internal memorandum issued by the Israeli army to its soldiers to explain the dangers of phosphorus bombs, which amount to death in the event of contact with the skin, inhaled or swallowed.
The report refutes claims of the legitimacy of Israel's use of these weapons, saying, "If the aim of the Israeli army was using white phosphorus shells to launch a smokescreen, it was possible to use non-lethal mortar smoke produced by an Israeli company.
The organization also urged the concerned authorities in the United States, which supplied Israel with these weapons, to open an investigation to determine whether the Israeli army has used them in a manner contrary to the laws of war.
The organization says that the international laws of war oblige Israel to conduct an impartial investigation in respect of war crimes committed by its soldiers and prosecute those responsible for the issuance of orders to carry out illegal acts such as launching phosphorus missiles.
Documented evidence The report also documents several attacks using white phosphorus on residential areas in the Gaza Strip, including the attack on January 4, 2009, killing five family members of Ahmed Abu Halima in northern Gaza, where remnants of the substance have been found in the targeted house.
In addition, researchers from Human Rights Watch found the remains of white phosphorous shells and parts of the lining of ammunition and dozens of charred pieces of felt, which contain the incendiary substance on the streets of Gaza City, rooftops and other buildings including a school for the Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) of the United Nations.