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Headlines : InternationalIsrael suspected of using white phosphorous
Translated from El Mundo (spanish newspaper).
Lebanese doctors are reporting seeing possible signs of the use of white phosphorous in victims. Likened to napalm, it produces very deep and painful chemical burns. Additionally, it can be absorbed by the body, potentially causing multiple organ failure.
Although there is some controversy, white phosphorous is considered a chemical weapon by the international community when used offensively.
[Posted By paz_y_justicia]Republished from El Mundo
Beirut – A group of international doctors will examine samples of some Lebanese victims from Israel’s bombings to determine what product caused abnormal wounds, according to the Lebanese radio station Futuro.
Some of the hospitalized present burns in the bones, but not on the skin, something that the Lebanese doctors, who have worked in numerous battles, consider abnormal.
The Medical College of Lebanon decided to solicit, once the existence of the abnormal wounds were confirmed, foreign analysis given the impossibility to carry it out in the country, whose health centers are overloaded with work.
Various doctors who work in the south Lebanon hospitals explained during the week that some of the victims of the bombings presented “wounds never seen” and expressed lack of knowledge of the product that could have caused such wounds.
The Lebanese press already denounced last week that the Israeli military was using white phosphorous bombs (prohibited by international legislation) in its attacks.
White phosphorous is a yellowish substance that burns when exposed to oxygen at a temperature of more than 30 degrees [centigrade], and the fire it causes is difficult to extinguish and leaves a heavy smoke.
Posted by paz_y_justicia
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of more than 30 degrees [centigrade]
Isn’t that a typo? I mean that’s a (admittedly hot) summer day temperature.
This is so sick – the US have already used this so how can they and their lapdogs complain? I’d like to see the GOP shaked n’ baked, but what’s the odds? Guess I’II just have to watch Mars Attacks! (again).
What is wrong with White Phospherous? A terrorist running around in circles screaming can’t kill civilians.
Seriuosly though, I don’t think it is banned. If it were Israel wouldn’t use it. So you can’t have it both ways. Either Israel is using it, or it is banned.
If it is a typo (Which it must be) its in the original article in spanish and not a translation error
It is not a typo and the author is correct. Although the article does not mention the temperature scale, it is assumed to be Celsius, which is 86 F. In air, it catches fire at temperatures 10 to 15 degrees above room temperature, and ignites spontaneously in moist air..
It is nasty stuff. There is more information at wikipedia.
White phosphorus purpose is to cause injury in order to overrun medical capacity of a combattant.
Yeah, didn’t read it carefully and thought it was saying the stuff burned at 30 degC, rather than ignites.
As to IF2, I wonder what Israel would say if white phosphorus were used against its population?
“A terrorist running around in circles screaming can’t kill civilians.”
“As to IF2, I wonder what Israel would say if white phosphorus were used against its population?”
“An IDF agent running around in circles screaming can’t kill civilians” maybe….
How many civilians were saved killing this “terrorist”?
Caption: ... badly burnt body of young Lebanese girl with telltale signs of white phosphorous attack.
Israel admits using phosphorus bombs in Lebanon: Israel admitted for the first time to using controversial white phosphorus shells against military targets in Southern Lebanon, an Israeli newspaper reported on Sunday.