Israel Forces Admit Using Chemical Weapons

The Israeli government has confirmed that it used white phosphorus shells in the war against Lebanon. The admission was made by Jacob Edery when questioned on the subject by Zahava Gal-On, a member of the Knesset. According to The Guardian, Mr Edery told Ms Gal-On:

"The IDF [Israel Defence Force] holds phosphorus munitions in different forms. The IDF made use of phosphorus shells during the war against Hizbullah in attacks against military targets in open ground."

Ms Gal-On was said to be surprised by the comments and was very concerned about this admission by an Israeli government official. When told about these munitions, Ms Gal-On said:

"My original question was about the use of Dime [dense inert metal explosives] weapons by Israel in Gaza but instead I was given the answer to a different question. The use of phosphorus weapons in Lebanon is shocking and unacceptable."

Although these weapons are not banned by international law, there are real concerns about their usage as they are effectively chemical weapons. There have been continued reports of casualties as a result of their use, with some horrific injuries inflicted upon innocent civilians. According to the National Safety Council:

Eating or drinking less than one teaspoon of white phosphorus can cause vomiting; stomach cramps; liver, heart or kidney damage; drowsiness; and even death. Being burned with white phosphorus can cause heart, liver, and kidney damage. Breathing white phosphorus may damage lungs and throat.

White phosphorus can cause changes in the long bones; seriously affected bones may become brittle, leading to spontaneous fractures. White phosphorus is especially hazardous to the eyes and can severely damage them.

High concentrations of the vapors evolved by burning white phosphorus are irritating to the nose, throat, lungs, skin, eyes, and mucus membranes.

Breathing white phosphorus can cause coughing and the development of a condition known as phossy jaw -- poor wound healing in the mouth and a breakdown of the jaw bone. The most common symptom of exposure to white phosphorus is necrosis of the jaw.

Exposure to white phosphorus can also cause nausea, jaundice, anemia, cachexia, dental pain, and excess saliva.

How this can be described as anything other than a chemical weapon is beyond me. There is no doubt that, along with cluster bombs, there should be a more serious effort made by people around the world to have this weapons banned. And, when they have been banned, all those who have used them on the battlefield should face justice for the suffering they have caused.