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Israel says it used phosphorus shells against Hezbollah

The Geneva Conventions ban use of the substance against civilians or civilian areas.

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published October 23, 2006

JERUSALEM - The Israeli army used phosphorous shells against Hezbollah guerrilla targets during their war in Lebanon this summer, an Israeli Cabinet minister said Sunday, confirming Lebanese allegations for the first time.

Until now, Israel had said it only used the weapons - which cause severe chemical burns - to mark targets or territory, according to Israeli media reports.

But Cabinet Minister Yaakov Edri said Israel used the weapons before an Aug. 14 cease-fire went into effect, ending its 34-day war against Hezbollah. Edri said he was speaking on behalf of Defense Minister Amir Peretz, according to his spokeswoman, Orly Yehezkel.

"The Israeli army holds phosphorous munitions in different forms," Edri said. "The Israeli army made use of phosphorous shells during the war against Hezbollah in attacks against military targets in open ground."

The Lebanese government accused Israel of dropping phosphorous bombs during the war. Edri did not specify where or against what types of targets the weapons were used.

White phosphorous is a translucent waxlike substance with a pungent smell that, once ignited, creates intense heat and smoke. The Geneva Conventions ban using white phosphorous against civilians or civilian areas. Israel is a signatory to the conventions.

The United States acknowledged last year that U.S. troops used white phosphorous as a weapon against insurgent strongholds during the battle of Fallujah in November 2004 but said it had never been used against civilian targets.

Overall, more than 1,200 civilians were killed on both sides during the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which started with Hezbollah's kidnapping of two Israeli soldiers in July.

Both Israel and Hezbollah have been accused by the United Nations and human rights groups of violating humanitarian law during the conflict.

[Last modified October 23, 2006, 02:10:35]