Amnesty says Israeli military units striking Gaza equipped with white phosphorus artillery rounds
GENEVA (AA) – Amnesty International has said its Crisis Evidence Lab has verified that Israeli military units striking Gaza are equipped with white phosphorus artillery rounds.
“We are investigating what appears to be the use of white phosphorus in Gaza, including in a strike near a hotel on the beach in Gaza City,” the rights group said in a statement.
It said white phosphorus “burns at extremely high temperatures when exposed to air & can continue to burn inside flesh,” “causes horrific pain & life-changing injuries” and “can’t be put out with water.”
“This is why white phosphorus should never be used in civilian areas. Gaza is one of the most densely populated areas in the world. As we continue to closely investigate these deeply concerning cases,” the organization added. “Amnesty urges Israel to respect International Humanitarian Law at all times, civilians must be spared.”
The statement came hours after Human Rights Watch (HRW) said late Thursday that it had verified videos showing multiple airbursts of artillery-fired white phosphorus over Gaza and Lebanon on October 10-11.
“Israel’s use of white phosphorus in military operations in Gaza and Lebanon puts civilians at risk of serious and long-term injuries,” the HRW said.
However, there has been complete silence from Israel and its Western allies about this grave and inhuman violation of international humanitarian law.
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