Subscribe to Print Edition | Fri., January 23, 2009 Tevet 27, 5769 | | Israel Time: 19:11 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Jewish World Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Joy of Giving Travel Week's End Anglo File
Last update - 04:11 21/01/2009
IDF probes improper use of phosphorus shells in Gaza Strip
By Amos Harel
Tags: Israel News, IDF, Gaza, Hamas

The Israel Defense Forces is investigating whether a reserve paratroops brigade made improper use of phosphorus shells during the fighting in Gaza.

The brigade fired about 20 such shells in a built-up area of northern Gaza.

Aside from this one case, the shells were used very sparingly and, in the army's view, in compliance with international law.
Advertisement
The IDF's use of phosphorus shells has sparked great criticism both in Israel and in the international media. The army therefore appointed Col. Shai Alkalai, an artillery officer, to investigate the issue, and his probe is still in progress.

According to senior army officers, the IDF used two phosphorus-based weapons in Gaza. One, the sources said, actually contains almost no phosphorus. These are simple smoke bombs - 155mm artillery shells - with a trace of phosphorus to ignite them.

Alkalai's probe is thus focusing on the second type: phosphorus shells, either 81mm or 120mm, that are fired from mortar guns. About 200 such shells were fired during the recent fighting, and of these, according to the probe's initial findings, almost 180 were fired at orchards in which gunmen and rocket-launching crews were taking cover.

The one problematic incident was the reserve paratroops brigade that fired about 20 such shells in a built-up area of Beit Lahiya. Many international organizations say phosphorus shells should not be used in heavily populated areas. The brigade's officers, however, say the shells were fired only at places that had been positively identified as sources of enemy fire.

The 120mm shells, a recent acquisition, have a computerized targeting system attached to a GPS. Brigade commanders say they were very effective, but they were also responsible for two very serious mishaps: a strike on a UNRWA school that killed 42 Palestinians and a friendly fire incident that seriously wounded two officers.

Related articles:
  • IAF bombs Gaza target after 8 mortar shells fired at Israel
  • IAEA to probe Arab claim Israel used uranium ammo on Gaza
  • Aid agencies supply essentials to Palestinians following Gaza conflict
    • Bookmark to del.icio.us  
     
    Waltz with Oscar
    Critically acclaimed Israeli film 'Waltz with Bashir' nominated for an oscar.
    Not convinced
    Hamas say Obama represents no change, will fail in Mideast.
      1.   How about the UN .... 04:15  |  Jasper 21/01/09
      2.   Who buys this foolishness? 04:17  |  Victor 21/01/09
      3.   BS investigation. Phosphorus is legal under all laws 04:40  |  Nethanel Lawyer 21/01/09
      4.   A translation 04:41  |  Colin Wright 21/01/09
      5.   Improper Use DOES NOT Equal A War Crime 04:45  |  Robert 21/01/09
      6.   Phosphorus Legal ? 05:41  |  Aaron Rosen 21/01/09
      7.   UN probe of war crimes 06:00  |  Sam 21/01/09
      8.   Joke 06:03  |  Bastropian 21/01/09
      9.   As Johnboy says, look at that last paragraph... 06:07  |  BBSNews 21/01/09
      10.   Investigate, natural growth settlements, ... 06:12  |  American 21/01/09
      11.   Israel and Geneva 06:15  |  Victor 21/01/09
      12.   #1 There is still customary law, Nethanel Lawyer 06:19  |  Johnboy 21/01/09
      13.   Hamas probes its improper executions of fatah members 06:37  |  mahmud ibn harb 21/01/09
      14.   BS News 06:49  |  Robert 21/01/09
      15.   BBSnews, bringing terrorists to your city 07:52  |  DAVID KAPLAN 21/01/09
      16.   Wounds.... how many?? 07:55  |  ZADOK 21/01/09
      17.   Safeguards on both sides 08:08  |  mike 21/01/09
      18.   IDF "Investigations" need to be investigated 08:10  |  Woody 21/01/09
      19.   Big freaking deal, 20 shells out of thousands, 1%; by contrast.. 08:15  |  Dr. L. Brnd 21/01/09
      20.   So? Everything the Palestinians do is a war crime... 08:53  |  McQueen 21/01/09
      21.   The IDF Investigates Itself? We`ll Know the Answer 08:53  |  Lee Kaplan 21/01/09
      22.   The UN should focus on Hammas War Crimes 09:15  |  Proud Israeli 21/01/09
      23.   KAPLAN Red Cross: Israel`s use of white phosphorus NOT illegal 10:16  |  PETER SM 21/01/09
      24.   Israel and the open society 10:24  |  x-ray 21/01/09
      25.   An Independent Investigation Required 10:57  |  Andrew 21/01/09
      26.   Andrew how `independent` is the UN? 11:54  |  x-ray 21/01/09
      27.   The accused investigates the crime? 11:54  |  QC 21/01/09
      28.   Israel`s attempt at a cover up 12:57  |  Chris Linthwaite 21/01/09
      29.   Accountability 13:11  |  Stem cell 21/01/09
      30.   QC Why don`t you give the Red Cross a call 13:12  |  PETER SM 21/01/09
      31.   x-ray 13:22  |  Jake 1948 21/01/09
      32.   The passional thirst to accuse and judge Israel 13:29  |  Israeli citizen 21/01/09
      33.   Colin Wright cynicism 13:33  |  George 21/01/09
      34.   327 OC The difference between a democracy and a dictatorship 13:59  |  Yonatan 21/01/09
      35.   fox watching the henhouse 14:05  |  wibism 21/01/09
      36.   Comparing crimes 14:05  |  Uri 21/01/09
      37.   IDF ptobes... 14:06  |  Kacey Mathew 21/01/09
      38.   Johnboy # 12 It Depends On Intent 14:06  |  Jeff Northridge 21/01/09
      39.   Twenty? 14:46  |  Mark Lincoln 21/01/09
      40.   QC The IDF has investigated and sentenced soldiers in the past 15:05  |  PETER SM 21/01/09
      41.   The UN are investigating 15:50  |  Chris Linthwaite 21/01/09
      42.   Use of Phosporus shells 15:54  |  Billclock 21/01/09
      43.   What is that all about? 16:49  |  Len 21/01/09
      44.   Gaza is ntot Jenine 17:06  |  Noura 21/01/09
      45.   Mark, airbursting high OVER any combat area is lawful use of WP 17:16  |  Dr. L. Brnd 21/01/09
      46.   The words and their meanings 17:22  |  Mohammed 21/01/09
      47.   x-ray #24 `Open Society` maybe compared to Yemen 17:28  |  gamma 21/01/09
      48.   #3 - World Citizens should take Israel to court for War Crimes. 17:30  |  Greased palms 21/01/09
      49.   The Well-Oiled Arab Propaganda Machine 17:32  |  Maria 21/01/09
      50.   #23 It is illegal to be fired in populated area. 17:33  |  Freedom 21/01/09
      51.   IDF Artillery Generals & Pilots are most notorious war criminal 17:38  |  Uri Levy 21/01/09
      52.   Maria-you sound well oiled yourself 18:38  |  tzevia 21/01/09
      53.   phosphorus 18:52  |  matt 21/01/09
      54.   Israeli Citizen 19:56  |  Jake1948 21/01/09
      55.   Fox guarding the henhouse? 20:49  |  Linda Wenrick 21/01/09
      56.   even nuclear weapon won`t chane a thing 23:04  |  Dina Britzman 21/01/09
      57.   who started violence - for Dina 23:37  |  Sceptic 21/01/09
      58.   Yonatan & Peter SM An IDF whitewash 23:38  |  QC 21/01/09
      59.   "Dr" L; Brnd ? "Big freaking deal" 23:41  |  flimflam 21/01/09
      60.   ISRAEL DISGRACED 02:18  |  MARK RABINOW 22/01/09
      61.   U.LEVI The UN compound immediate area was used to fire at the IDF 02:31  |  PETER SM 22/01/09
      62.   MARK RABINOW - NOT UNTIL... 08:43  |  PADDY 22/01/09
      63.   Oh come on 18:09  |  Kim 22/01/09
      64.   #61, Pull the other one, PETERSM! 18:58  |  Silvienne 23/01/09
     Read & React
    Obama: We will aggressively seek lasting Mideast peace
    Responses: 98
    UN rights official: Gaza evokes memories of Warsaw Ghetto
    Responses: 124
    Shashi Tharoor: India watched in envy as Israel attacked Gaza
    Responses: 23
    Yossi Sarid: Israeli mercy missions should go to Gaza only
    Responses: 9
    Dutch MP behind film on radical Islam: Decision to prosecute me is political
    Responses: 37


    More Headlines
    17:26 Israel to approve aid for IDF officers accused of Gaza war crimes
    18:20 Israel to allow Egypt to boost force on Gaza border to fight smuggling
    15:00 Israel's multi-faceted Gaza cease-fire
    16:31 UN: Israel cooperating in efforts to improve Gaza humanitarian situation
    18:01 IDF soldier suspected of seriously wounding Palestinian at West Bank checkpoint
    17:29 UNRWA chief: Israeli offensive in Gaza boosted extremists
    11:49 Dutch MP behind film on radical Islam: Decision to prosecute me is political
    18:07 Dutch Jewish community raises concerns with PM over anti-Semitic attacks
    19:01 Study: 20 years of conflict has cost Middle East $12 trillion
    00:11 Hamas: Obama does not represent change
    13:28 Obama: We will aggressively seek lasting Middle East peace
    11:44 UN human rights official: Gaza evokes memories of Warsaw Ghetto
    15:06 Jewish leaders urge Pope not to rehabilitate Holocaust-denying bishop
    13:23 U.S. Jewish leaders call on Turkey to curb anti-Semitic outbursts
    06:06 With war over, Fatah members say Hamas sees them as the real danger
    06:10 ANALYSIS / Likud's strategy against Yisrael Beiteinu? Kid gloves
    11:34 Hadash Web sites prove two-faced in view on Gaza war
    Previous Editions
    Special Offers
    Advertisement
    Summer in Israel
    Israeli style - Tzofim Chetz V'Keshet 2009
    Blue And White Forever Israel Army T-shirts
    Wear with Proud Donate the Soldiers Kit
    You can make a direct IMPACT!
    on the life of an Israeli soldier
    State of Israel Bonds
    During this time of market volatility, Israel bonds can help.
    SURF RAMBAM
    Keep current about new-wave medical care, education and research.
    Summer Camp in Israel
    The best place for your children this summer
    Fattal Hotel Chain
    Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel.
    Eldan Rent a Car
    Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on online reservations
    Jewish Singles Personal Ads
    Find the love of your life on JDate.com
    Junkyard
    Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
    Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |
    Real Estate in Israel | Travel to Israel with Haaretz | Hotels Israel | Restaurants Israel | Tourist attractions Israel | Shops Israel
    birthright Israel | Search engine marketing
    Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
    © Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved