2023-10-12 13:12:00
After Israel’s attack on Gaza, heavy casualties are reported. In the meantime, there have been accusations that Israel has used a banned weapon called white phosphorus. The news about this is coming in the social media along with the visuals. What is White Phosphorus? How are these dangerous? Did white phosphorus fall like a flood on Gaza’s 20 million people?
What is White Phosphorus?
White Phosphorus is a waxy, yellowish substance with a pungent odor similar to that of silver. It ignites rapidly and burns for a long time on contact with air. Countries including the United States have been using white phosphorus in bombs etc. but it is against the laws of war to use them in populated areas. It was alleged that white phosphorus was used during Russia’s war in Ukraine.
White phosphorus is released as a result of the chemical reaction at temperatures above 815 degrees Celsius. And great light and thick white smoke will rise. Once a fire starts it is almost impossible to put it out. It will also be pasted on the body and clothes. White phosphorus has the ability to penetrate through the skin and bones if it gets into the body.
In 1972, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution against the use of white phosphorus, listing it as a dangerous weapon. In 1980, the nations of the world decided to ban weapons that cause excruciating pain and suffering to humans. According to its third protocol, the use of incendiary weapons such as white phosphorus was strictly controlled.
This is not the first time that Israel has used white phosphorus on its opponents. Israel dropped phosphorus bombs against Hezbollah in the 2006 Lebanon War. In 2008–09, phosphorus bombs were also allegedly used in Gaza. Bashar al-Assad’s government has also been accused of using chemical weapons to quell the Syrian civil war. The first use of white phosphorus as a weapon is believed to be in the 1800s when the Irish army used white phosphorus against the British. Britain was shown to have used white phosphorus in both world wars. According to reports, the US Army also used chemical weapons in Fallujah during the invasion of Iraq.
What is white phosphorous? Is Israel using it on Gaza?
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