Watan-A former soldier in the Israeli military has admitted to the use of internationally prohibited white phosphorus shells during the wars conducted by Israel, specifically in the current conflict in the Gaza Strip.
A video clip of a former Israeli soldier has surfaced, in which he states, “One of the worst war crimes in the history of Israel, and now in this war in particular, is the use of white phosphorus on the residents of Gaza and Lebanon.”
جندي سابق في جيش الاحتلال: “رأيت الفسفور الأبيض المحرم دوليا في كل واحدة من دباباتنا. ثم يقولون لنا نحن جيش أخلاقي!”#حرب_غزة pic.twitter.com/neKoKaXcBc
— مجلة ميم.. مِرآتنا (@Meemmag) January 8, 2024
He added, “I was reading reports from human rights organizations documenting this when I suddenly remembered the time I served in the Israeli army, in the artillery unit. They were teaching us about different types of bombs, and finally, they got to white phosphorus. They told us what it does and that its use is prohibited under international law.”
He continued, “I remember wondering to myself and being amazed, thinking, why then are these bombs here? Why are they in every tank we work on if their use is illegal?”
He pointed out that this represents a clear Israeli contradiction, as Israel portrays itself to the world as a democracy and the only ethical military force in the Middle East, while the reality on the ground in Gaza and other places suggests otherwise.
White phosphorus is a regular weapon in Israel’s arsenal
Over the past twenty years, Israel has waged several wars against Gaza and Lebanon, using internationally banned weapons each time, with white phosphorus at the forefront.
These bombs consist of a highly reactive material that easily absorbs through the skin, causing second and third-degree burns. The substance can be absorbed into the rest of the body, leading to serious symptoms and, in some cases, death due to damage to the kidneys, liver, and heart.
International organizations document Israel’s use of white phosphorus
Amnesty International has previously confirmed that the occupying army fired artillery shells containing white phosphorus during military operations along the border with Lebanon.
Additionally, the organization Human Rights Watch accused Israel of using white phosphorus munitions in Gaza and Lebanon, stating that the use of such weapons poses a serious and long-term threat to civilians.
Human Rights Watch stated that it verified video clips taken in Lebanon showing multiple airburst explosions of white phosphorus launched by artillery over the port of Gaza City and two locations along the Israel-Lebanon border.