"Israel did not use WP in confined spaces." 21 Jul 10 - 07:47 AM

Israel used WP in densely populated civilian areas - proved, despite all earlier attempts to deny it.

"US intelligence classified white phosphorus as 'chemical weapon"

Sigfrido Ranucci who made the film "The Hidden Massacre" looking at the effects of white phosphorous bombs on the civilian population of Fallujah in the November 2004 assault on the Iraqi city said that a US intelligence assessment had characterised WP after the first Gulf War as a "chemical weapon".

"In late February 1991, an (American) intelligence source reported, during the Iraqi crackdown on the Kurdish uprising that followed the coalition victory against Iraq, "Iraqi forces loyal to President Saddam may have possibly used white phosphorous chemical weapons against Kurdish rebels and the populace in Erbil and Dohuk.
The WP chemical was delivered by artillery rounds and helicopter gunships."

When Saddam used WP it was a chemical weapon," said Mr Ranucci, "but when the Americans use it, it's a conventional weapon. The injuries it inflicts, however, are just as terrible however you describe it."

From The Independent 23 November 2005

Used in a densely populated area in Gaza and NOT as the legal 'battlefield obscurant'** or 'means of illumination' (the attack seen on the school was in full daylight) WP can only be described - as its use was by Saddam Hussein - as a 'chemical weapon'


"The Israeli military may be using legal weapons, but it is using the weapons in an illegal manner"

Marc Garlasco
Human Rights Watch

** White phosphorus is permitted on the battlefield to make smoke screens to allow troops to move undetected, and also to impede infrared anti-tank weapons.