Israel tells United Nations it will limit phosphorus use in populated areas

The army will limit its use of phosphorous bombs in populated areas and stop using them near "sensitive sites" like UN buildings, Israel said in a report it presented to the United Nations this week.

The report reflected the findings of an Israel Defense Forces investigation of Operation Cast Lead in the winter of 2008-2009.

The report, which was delivered to the United Nations on Tuesday, also details several other changes that have been made to standing military orders as they pertain to fighting in populated areas.

The IDF decided even before the Gaza fighting was over that it would no longer use phosphorous bombs near sensitive sites, the report said.

	Gazans flee an Israeli air strike in Beit Lahiya during Operation Cast Lead on January 17, 2009.
	Photo by: AFP

It said its examination of the fighting near a UN compound in the Gaza neighborhood of Tel al-Hawa showed that phosphorous bombs caused more injuries and damage that had been anticipated.

IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi has issued standing orders limiting the use of phosphorous bombs in populated areas.

Ashkenazi has also ordered all units to impress soldiers with the importance of identifying sensitive installations during combat and note how far away the troops should remain.

Ashkenazi also asked that soldiers train using "scenarios and responses" in which "humanitarian contingencies" may arise, and said that orders should be in place for the establishment of "humanitarian corridors" that would allow provisions to be sent to civilians during wartime.

The new orders highlight the responsibility of commanders of a given unit to protect civilians in their area of responsibility, and emphasize that civilians must be kept away from combat zones.

It calls for the creation of protected civilian zones and protected corridors through which civilians can reach safety.

The report marks the conclusion of investigations by the Military Advocate General, the Military Police and a special investigative team set up by Ashkenazi, in response to allegations of war crimes made in the UN-sponsored Goldstone report.

The Goldstone report noted 32 alleged war crimes by the IDF. After the fighting, the army investigated some 150 complaints and Military Police investigated 47, some of which are still ongoing. A special investigation team appointed by Ashkenazi is still looking into the way Palestinians arrested during the operation were treated.

Several soldiers disciplined

In addition to addressing the issue of damage to sensitive civilian installations, the IDF report also addresses three other types of accusations the Goldstone report leveled against the army: the use of civilians as human shields, intentional shooting at civilians and intentional damage of private property.

A new regulation establishes a "humanitarian officer" for every fighting battalion, whose responsibility will be the handling of the civilian population.

Regarding the destruction of civilian property, new regulations describe the legal responsibility of commanders and the considerations that should be taken into account prior to destroying such property. The ranks of officers who are authorized to approve such actions are also listed.

The IDF has disciplined several soldiers involved in the Gaza fighting.

One officer was disciplined and two others were censured for their attack on a group of militants standing next to a mosque, which is considered to be a civilian target.

A Givati soldier accused of shooting and killing civilians - one of five such cases cited in the Goldstone report - is facing manslaughter charges, and charges will also be brought against two Givati soldiers for allegedly using a Palestinian child as a "human shield" while suspects were being secured.

In addition, a battalion commander in the Golani Brigade was censured for ordering a Palestinian civilian to enter a home in which Palestinian militants were known to be barricaded.

In two other human shield cases, the IDF failed to find enough evidence to take disciplinary or punitive action.

One case involving alleged firing at civilians is still being investigated, and in three cases the IDF found that the shooting was justified.