Zeynep Katre Oran
15 October 2023•Update: 15 October 2023
ANKARA
Images by Anadolu once again proved that Israel used white phosphorus in Gaza, which were used among the evidence documented by Amnesty International.
Amnesty International on Friday said its Crisis Evidence Lab has verified that Israeli military units striking Gaza were equipped with white phosphorus artillery rounds.
The videos and photos documented by the nongovernmental organization showed that Israel used white phosphorus in Gaza, which it has been striking since Oct. 7.
Among the Amnesty evidence is an image featuring M825 and M825A1 artillery shells with D528 labels used for white phosphorus-based ammunition, which were taken by Anadolu photojournalist Mustafa Al-Kharouf on Oct. 9.
Anadolu's images included pictures of the moments of white phosphorus artillery shells exploding in mid-air during Israeli airstrikes in Gaza on Oct. 10 and 11.
White phosphorus
According to international law, the use of white phosphorus in areas with a dense civilian population is prohibited. The smoke from white phosphorus, when inhaled, can cause sudden lung injuries and suffocation.
White phosphorus can cause second- and third-degree burns to the skin and readily ignites upon contact with oxygen. When used as a bomb, it not only has explosive effects but also leads to fires.
Fires caused by white phosphorus bombs can spread over large areas and continue until the phosphorus is depleted.
Treatment of individuals exposed to white phosphorus, whether through inhalation, contact, or ingestion, is challenging due to the substance's contagious nature. Those treating injuries caused by the bomb need special training to protect themselves.
Exposure to white phosphorus at certain intervals can lead to severe deformations and fractures of the jawbone.
White phosphorus bombs in international law
Under the UN Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons law, attacks with incendiary weapons from the air in civilian areas are prohibited.
There is no legal obstacle to using white phosphorus for purposes such as camouflaging military units in open areas.
However, debates continue regarding the impact and harm caused by the immediate use of white phosphorus on individuals, potentially leading to it being considered a war crime.
Israel has used white phosphorus before
In a 2010 report on the impunity of violations of the laws of war in Gaza, Human Rights Watch said that Israel used munitions containing white phosphorus during its Operation Cast Lead in the Gaza Strip between December 2008 and January 2009.
The report showed that Israel's use of munitions containing white phosphorus in densely populated areas was considered part of the policies pursued by political and military leaders that led to violations of the laws of war.
Israel-Palestine conflict
On Oct. 7, Palestinian group Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood against Israel – a multi-pronged surprise attack including a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel via land, sea, and air.
While thousands of rockets were launched from Gaza towards Israel, Palestinian armed groups attacked the Beit Hanoun crossing on the Gaza-Israel border and seized control of it.
Subsequently, armed groups entered Israeli settlements from there, and the Israeli army launched attacks on the Gaza Strip with dozens of warplanes.
According to Israeli authorities, 1,300 Israelis have since been killed and 3,436 others wounded in the attacks from Gaza.
Meanwhile, the Palestinian death toll from Israeli attacks on Gaza has reached 2,670, including 750 children, and at least 9,600 have been injured.
In the West Bank, 55 Palestinians have been killed and 619 others injured in attacks by Israeli forces and Jewish settlers.
Also, nine journalists were killed in Gaza and one was killed in Lebanon in Israeli attacks.
*Writing by Alperen Aktas
