White Phosphorus (WP), known as Willy Pete, is used for signaling, screening, and incendiary purposes. White Phosphorus can be used to destroy the enemy's equipment or to limit his vision. It is used against vehicles, petroleum, oils and lubricants (POL) and ammunition storage areas, and enemy observers.
White Phosphorus was used most often during World War II in military formulations for smoke screens, marker shells, incendiaries, hand grenades, smoke markers, colored flares, and tracer bullets.
White Phosphorus results in painful chemical burn injuries. The resultant burn typically appears as a necrotic area with a yellowish color and characteristic garlic-like odor. White Phosphorus is highly lipid soluble and as such, is believed to have rapid dermal penetration once particles are embedded under the skin. Because of its enhanced lipid solubility, many have believed that these injuries result in delayed wound healing.
This has not been well studied; therefore, all that can be stated is that White Phosphorus burns represent a small subsegment of chemical burns, all of which typically result in delayed wound healing.
Israel Uses White Phosphorus in Gaza :HRW
Israel is using white-phosphorus, a chemical that burns away human flesh to the bone, in shelling the densely-populated Gaza Strip, in a violation of international humanitarian laws, a leading international rights group said.
"Human Rights Watch believes the IDF [Israeli Defense Forces] is using WP in Gaza," the New York-based group said in a statement on its website.
Since the beginning of the Israeli onslaught on December 27, there have been numerous media reports about the use of white phosphorous in shelling Gaza.
HRW researchers observed multiple air-bursts of artillery-fired white phosphorus near the city of Gaza and the Jabaliya refugee camp over the past days.
"In addition, HRW has analyzed photographs taken by the media on the Israel-Gaza border showing Israeli artillery units handling fused WP artillery shells, as well as video of air bursts over Gaza followed by tendrils of smoke and flame that are highly indicative of WP use."
Israel has repeatedly denied using the controversial chemical during the offensive on Gaza, which has so far killed more than 1500 and wounded 5.300 others.
The use of white phosphorus as a weapon, even against military targets situated within population centers, is banned by the 1980 third Convention on Conventional Weapons.
Israel is not a signatory to the convention but its military manuals reflect restrictions on its use.
The Israeli army has admitted before using white phosphorus munitions during its 34-day war on Lebanon in 2006.
The US also used white phosphorus munitions during the siege of the Iraqi city of Fallujah in 2004 and also defended its act.
"Human Rights Watch believes the IDF [Israeli Defense Forces] is using WP in Gaza," the New York-based group said in a statement on its website.
Since the beginning of the Israeli onslaught on December 27, there have been numerous media reports about the use of white phosphorous in shelling Gaza.
HRW researchers observed multiple air-bursts of artillery-fired white phosphorus near the city of Gaza and the Jabaliya refugee camp over the past days.
"In addition, HRW has analyzed photographs taken by the media on the Israel-Gaza border showing Israeli artillery units handling fused WP artillery shells, as well as video of air bursts over Gaza followed by tendrils of smoke and flame that are highly indicative of WP use."
Israel has repeatedly denied using the controversial chemical during the offensive on Gaza, which has so far killed more than 1500 and wounded 5.300 others.
The use of white phosphorus as a weapon, even against military targets situated within population centers, is banned by the 1980 third Convention on Conventional Weapons.
Israel is not a signatory to the convention but its military manuals reflect restrictions on its use.
The Israeli army has admitted before using white phosphorus munitions during its 34-day war on Lebanon in 2006.
The US also used white phosphorus munitions during the siege of the Iraqi city of Fallujah in 2004 and also defended its act.
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