Canadian Press & Associated Press – 2006-10-22 23:51:00

http://www.canada.com/topics/news/world/story.html?id=992635fc-0ff9-4a31-9315-d6c1faa122b1&k=95201

Israel Concedes It Used Phosphorous Bombs during Lebanon War
Canadian Press / AP

JERUSALEM (October 22, 2006) — The Israeli army dropped phosphorous bombs against Hezbollah guerrilla targets in Lebanon during the war there this summer, an Israeli cabinet minister said Sunday, confirming Lebanese allegations for the first time.

Until now, Israel had said it only used the weapons — which cause severe chemical burns — to mark targets or territory, the Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported.

But Cabinet Minister Jacob Edery said he confirmed during a parliamentary query session last week that Israel used the weapons during August fighting against Hezbollah. Edery said he was speaking on behalf of Defence Minister Amir Peretz.

“The Israeli army holds phosphorous munitions in different forms,” Edery said. “The Israeli army made use of phosphorous shells during the war against Hezbollah in attacks against military targets in open ground.”

Edery did not specify where or against what types of targets the phosphorous bombs were used.

Edery said international law does not ban the use of such weapons. However, many international human rights groups, including the Red Cross, have pushed to ban phosphorous weapons.

© The Canadian Press, 2006

Posted in accordance with Title 17, US Code, for noncommercial, educational purposes.

Related EAW Reports
• Environmentalists Against War
Phosphorous Bombs Claims Separately, there have been reports in Lebanon that Israel is using phosphorous bombs in its offensive. …
www.envirosagainstwar.org/know/read.php?itemid=4777 – 27k

• Environmentalists Against War
“Lebanon’s president accused Israel on Monday of using phosphorous bombs in its 13-day offensive and urged the United Nations to demand an immediate …
www.envirosagainstwar.org/know/read.php?itemid=4432 – 11k

• Environmentalists Against War
Italian Probe: Israel Used New Weapon Prototype in Gaza Strip … forces in Iraq of phosphorous bombs, against Iraqi rebels in Faluja. Israel Air Force Maj. …
www.envirosagainstwar.org/know/read.php?itemid=4749 – 11k

• Environmentalists Against War
The phosphorous bombs laying waste to fields growing crops and horribly burning … The calibrated Israeli terror bombing of Lebanon comes in three stages. …
www.envirosagainstwar.org/know/read.php?itemid=4517 – 13k

• Environmentalists Against War
Lebanese media reports state that Israel used phosphorus incendiary bombs and vacuum bombs that suck up air and facilitate building collapses. …
www.envirosagainstwar.org/know/read.php?itemid=4425 – 12k

• Environmentalists Against War
An artillery commander has admitted to seeing trucks loaded with phosphorous rounds on their way to artillery crews in the north of Israel. …
www.envirosagainstwar.org/know/read.php?itemid=4631 – 11k

• Environmentalists Against War
Walter Williams of PeopleJudgeBush.org reminded people that cluster bombs and white phosphorus — used by the Israeli army in Lebanon — are aimed at …
www.envirosagainstwar.org/know/read.php?itemid=4616 – 20k

• Environmentalists Against War
The U.S. Army denied that it had used white phosphorus in the attack. … Jul — Number of NATO bombs that have fallen on Bulgaria since the war in Kosovo …
www.envirosagainstwar.org/know/read.php?itemid=4239 – 30k

• Environmentalists Against War
It seems that Israel tried to come into Lebanon and clashes continued with … the body indicate that the bombs are using chemical and phosphorous weapons. …
www.envirosagainstwar.org/know/read.php?itemid=4400 – 18k