Israel's bombing continues in Gaza. According to the Israeli army, it has dropped about 6000 bombs on Gaza in five days.
Due to this bombing, human rights organization Human Rights Watch has said that Israel is using white phosphorus in its military actions in Gaza and Lebanon. According to Human Rights Watch, use of such weapons can cause serious injuries to people.
Human Rights Watch says the use of white phosphorus in Gaza, one of the world's most densely populated areas, increases the risk to civilians and violates international humanitarian law.
According to news agency Reuters, when the Israeli Army was asked about these allegations, it said that at present it has no information about the use of white phosphorus weapons in Gaza. The Israeli army did not comment on the use of such weapons in Lebanon.
Human Rights Watch said it had verified videos taken in Lebanon on October 10 and Gaza on October 11, showing multiple aerial explosions of white phosphorus fired from artillery at the Gaza City port and two rural areas near the Israel-Lebanon border. Were seen.
"Whenever white phosphorus is used in crowded civilian areas, it risks severe burns and lifelong pain," says Lama Fakih, Middle East and North Africa director at Human Rights Watch.
In 2013, the Israeli army said it was going to stop using white phosphorus ammunition to create a smokescreen on the battlefield.
The Israeli Army had then said that a smokescreen effect would be created by using gas in the shells. Even at that time, human rights groups had condemned Israel's use of white phosphorus during the Gaza conflict.
What is white phosphorus?
White phosphorus is known for its flammable properties. It is a chemical substance which burns when it comes in contact with oxygen. It is used in artillery shells, bombs and rockets.
Once white phosphorus comes in contact with oxygen, a chemical reaction produces intense heat of up to 815 degrees Celsius. White phosphorus burns when it comes in contact with oxygen, producing light and thick smoke which is used in military operations. But when white phosphorus comes in contact with humans it causes terrible injuries.
It can cause devastating fires and destroy buildings, infrastructure and cause widespread damage.
How is white phosphorus used?
White phosphorus is used mostly for the purpose of concealment in ground military operations. By using white phosphorus, armies try to hide their activities by creating a smokescreen.
White phosphorus also interferes with infrared optics and weapon tracking systems and protects military forces from guided weapons such as anti-tank missiles.
White phosphorus covers a larger area during air detonation than ground detonation and helps in concealing larger military operations. In densely populated areas like Gaza, the explosion of white phosphorus in the air increases the risk for the people living there.
White phosphorus can also be used as an incendiary weapon. In 2004, during the second battle of Fallujah in Iraq, white phosphorus was used to expose hidden fighters.
How much harm does white phosphorus cause?
Humans experience severe burns when exposed to white phosphorus, a burn that can often reach the bones. The wounds caused by this irritation take time to heal and are prone to infection.
If only 10 percent of the human body gets injured due to burning of white phosphorus, it is fatal. On coming in contact with it, humans may have difficulty in breathing and many organs of the body may stop functioning.
Those who survive the initial wounds caused by white phosphorus suffer pain for the rest of their lives, their mobility is limited, and the scars left on their bodies have a negative impact on their psychological well-being.
Fires caused by white phosphorus can also damage homes and buildings, destroy crops and kill livestock.
Legal and ethical concerns regarding white phosphorus
The use of white phosphorus in armed conflicts is subject to several international legal frameworks.
White phosphorus is prohibited from being used as an incendiary weapon against civilians or civilian areas under Protocol III of the Convention on Conventional Weapons (CCW).
Under the Protocol, it should be used only for signaling, screening and marking in accordance with the principles of international humanitarian law.
The use of white phosphorus in armed conflicts has generated significant debate, with some calling for stricter regulations and greater monitoring to reduce harm to civilians and the environment.
It is often discussed how important it is for armed forces to exercise caution and comply with international humanitarian law and conventions when using white phosphorus weapons to reduce the harmful effects on both civilians and the environment during armed conflicts. Is.
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