In an official report to the United Nations, Israel acknowledged that its military had “endangered human life” through the use of phosphorous munitions against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

In Israel's response to the Goldstone report on war crimes in Gaza, the regime admitted that its military forces fired white phosphorous bombs at a heavily populated area on January 15, 2009 in Gaza, Reuters reported.
The shells that damaged a UN Relief and Works Agency compound contained incendiary white phosphorus, the use of which is condemned by human rights groups.
According to the Israeli document, two senior officers, Brigadier-General Eyal Eisenberg and Colonel Ilan Malka, “exceeded their authority in approving the use of phosphorus shells”.
The document also mentioned that the shells were fired “in violation of the rules of engagement prohibiting use of such artillery near populated areas.” It added that the officers, who still run their previous posts, have been disciplined.
Eisenberg still heads Israel's Gaza division and Malka, an infantry brigade commander, is still in charge of military operations in the occupied West Bank.
The Israeli military, however, has denied reprimanding the officers, Haaretz reported on Monday.
A report released by a UN fact-finding team headed by South African Judge Richard Goldstone in September 2009 accused Israeli military forces of war crimes against Palestinians in Gaza.
The United Nations General Assembly later adopted a resolution giving Israel and the Palestinians three months to undertake “independent, credible investigations” into serious violations of international law and human rights committed during the conflict in Gaza.
According to the Goldstone report Israel used disproportionate force and failed to protect civilians during the war which killed more than 1,350 Palestinians in the territory.
(Source: Press TV)
Photo: Ali Abu Halima (L) applies cream on his mother's arm, Sabah Abu Halima, that was burnt from white phosphorous during Israel's 22-day offensive, in Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip on March 26, 2009. (Getty Images) -