An official IDF probe reveals that two officers, a brigadier-general and a colonel, approved the use of white phosphorus munitions during Operation Cast Lead. The report states the two lacked the authorization to do so, endangering human life and violating international law. This acknowledgement is contained in Israel’s official response to the Goldstone Report that was submitted to the United Nations.
The officers, Gaza Division Commander Brig.-Gen. Eyal Eisenberg and Givati Brigade Commander Colonel Ilan Malka were mentioned as approving the use of the phosphorus bombs but they lacked the authorization to make such a decision. As a result, the two were disciplined in a hearing by IDF Southern District Commander Major-General Yoav Gallant.
The report details the incident, occurring on January 15, 2009, two days before the end of Operation Cast Lead. The government report states that the two simply exceeded their authority by approving the use of the phosphorus munitions, firing them into Tel al-Hawa in southern Gaza. They were acting on intelligence reports of a Hamas cell in the area using advanced anti-tank rockets in that area. Some of the shrapnel from the phosphorus bombs landed in a nearby UNRWA facility, injuring three, including one UN employee.
Following Cast Lead, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-General Gabi Ashkenazi ordered a number of probes, including an investigation into allegations that phosphorus was used in violation of international law.
During the course of the IDF probes, hundreds of soldiers and PA residents were questioned during the honest effort to get to the truth in the face of allegations, which reached unprecedented levels in the Goldstone Report. 36 criminal cases are pending as a result of the probes, including one case in which Givati Brigade soldiers have been convicted in stealing credit cards from PA residents. The IDF continues to insist it is conducting legitimate probes and in the event of wrongdoing, appropriate actions will be taken against responsible parties.
(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)
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7 Responses
years ago i was tought that if you hit a bully much harder then when he hits you , he will not bother you for a long time and maybe this is what Israel should do
The injury to UN employees is regretable, but not unanticipated. If you hang with terrorists you should expect the worse.
Lehavdil bein hatamei latohor, the Israeli commanders are heroes, period end of sentence. If they come to my house, I will honored to have them and drink a l’chaim with them!
the israelis should stop trying to be nice the antisemtic world will still hate us no matter how nice and decently we will act so just go on doing anything and everything to save jewish lives when those reshuim yemach shmum will adhere to international law then israel should start thinking about it i the meantime safeguard jewish lives in anyway possible remember i would rather be feared then loved
i agre with ploniebenplonie they should receive a golden medal for their work to keep us safe! thanks
White phosphorus burns fiercely – and it clings to a victim as does napalm, jellied gasoline It is a heavy duty anti-personnel weapon that causes serious burns and death – and is dresigned to be used against hostile troop concentrations.
Those of you who would blithely excuse its use against targets where there are concentrations of civilians (yes, I know, antisemetic Jew-hating civilians) represent a corps of Yiddishe “good Germans” – Yidden who would excuse any horror if used by Jews against our enemies.
Shameful
get them out and get it over with. gentiles have the entire earth to rome freely, we deserve allot more than a sliver of land with a burning wick on the end of it
White Phosphorous I have read can be used to light up a dark area.
It may be a horrific weapon but that is not necessarily it’s only possible purpose.
I see nothing here that says the Israelis were using it as a weapon.
Yes 3 people were burned, but that does not mean they were targeted.
There is a difference although Jews never get such distinctions from the Jew haters.
Those who want to accuse Israel of “war crimes” or “inhumaine” treatment of the enemy (or civilians) do so falsly, and do not ever seem to be so concerned when the enemy puts feces or other contaminants into their shrapnel filled bomb belts which makes them biological and chemical weapons.
When the antisemites stop attacking Jews and targeting Jewish women and children, then Jews won’t have to fight back and no one will have to worry about the resulting “civilian casualties”.