Israel's ongoing conflict with Palestine has entered its fifth day, amid allegations of Israel's use of white phosphorus bombs in the densely populated Gaza Strip. White phosphorus, a waxy crystalline substance, takes on a darker hue when exposed to light, with a distinctive, acrid odor reminiscent of garlic. Despite this pungent scent, relying on smell alone for its detection is impractical.
White phosphorus serves various purposes, primarily as a highly flammable chemical that burns intensely and rapidly upon exposure to air. It is utilized in incendiary weaponry by defense forces worldwide, serving to inflict damage on adversaries or illuminate targets during nighttime operations.
The United States military notably refrains from using this chemical due to its extreme flammability, which can lead to ignition upon contact with oxygen. Furthermore, it is employed in the form of sticks by militaries globally as a smoke agent, generating dense clouds of irritating white smoke, intense heat (reaching approximately 815 degrees Celsius), and illuminating a substantial area. Notably, white phosphorus is capable of initiating fast-burning, quick-spreading fires on the ground, and reports indicate that extinguishing it once ignited is exceedingly challenging.
The use of white phosphorus in bombs was officially banned by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972, with a resolution characterizing incendiary weapons as a category of arms causing widespread alarm. The United Nations defines incendiary weapons as munitions designed to set fire to objects or inflict burn injuries and respiratory harm to people through heat, flame, or a combination of both, with the heat or flame resulting from the reaction of flammable substances such as white phosphorus or napalm.
In 1980, the global community further united to ban or restrict certain weapons causing excessive harm or suffering to civilians.
The recent headlines have been dominated by Israel's relentless airstrikes on Hamas targets in Gaza, following an attack by a Palestinian militant group on Israeli towns in early October. Israel has been accused of using phosphorus bombs, a restricted and highly controversial choice.
Multiple photos and videos circulating on social media platforms claim to show the use of these restricted phosphorus bombs by the Israel Defense Force against the civilian population of Gaza. The Gaza Strip, one of the most densely populated areas on Earth, is a Palestinian territory subject to Israeli blockade and home to over two million people crammed into a narrow 362-square-kilometer strip of land. For several years, it has been governed by Hamas.
The Israel-Hamas war, triggered by an audacious attack by Hamas on October 7, has resulted in over 1,000 Israeli casualties, including both soldiers and civilians. Thousands of civilians have lost their homes, and millions on both sides are living in fear as the conflict escalates. Additionally, Hamas militants have taken dozens of hostages, including attendees of a renowned music festival.
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