February 11, 2009 1:43 PM
- Text
Did Israel Use A Banned Weapon?
(CBS)
A set of images of burning residue and white rocket trails are part of what Amnesty International calls "indisputable proof" the Israeli military illegally used white phosphorous in Gaza. The smoke-producing and incendiary chemical is banned in civilian areas because of its intense heat and fumes, CBS News correspondent Allen Pizzey reports.
The Israelis admit firing 200 white phosphorous shells, but deny breaking international law.
The last bombing raid in one part of Gaza was a week ago. The area is littered with pieces of shrapnel and bits of sticky, gummy brown material.
Rub it and it bursts into flame and emits an acrid smoke. That's a distinct characteristic, experts say, of white phosphorous.
Sabbah Halima's blister-covered hands are an example of the kind of wound white phosphorous inflicts.
"In hours it becomes much deeper and much whiter, plus smoke comes out of the wound," said Dr. Nafez Abu Shaaban, chief of the burn unit at Shifa Hospital.
The United Nations refugee agency says white phosphorous hit its warehouse in the city center.
"I think our people have said if it looks like white phosphorous, if it acts like white phosphorus, it must be, white phosphorous," said Karen AbuZayd, UNWRA Commissioner-General.
Jodie Clark, a logistics officer for UNWRA, risked her life to pull a burning shell from under a fuel tanker.
"As I ran to the workshops another shell landed probably 30 meters in front of me and then just fireworks burst up from the ground and sprayed pellets of a burning substance all over the place," Clark said.
Pizzey showed part of one of the shells.
"The fire extinguisher didn't put it out, it continued to burn and in fact when we went back an hour later to fight the rest of the fire it was still burning," Clark said.
The Israelis have ordered an inquiry. But human rights groups are calling for an international investigation.
The Israelis admit firing 200 white phosphorous shells, but deny breaking international law.
The last bombing raid in one part of Gaza was a week ago. The area is littered with pieces of shrapnel and bits of sticky, gummy brown material.
Rub it and it bursts into flame and emits an acrid smoke. That's a distinct characteristic, experts say, of white phosphorous.
Sabbah Halima's blister-covered hands are an example of the kind of wound white phosphorous inflicts.
"In hours it becomes much deeper and much whiter, plus smoke comes out of the wound," said Dr. Nafez Abu Shaaban, chief of the burn unit at Shifa Hospital.
The United Nations refugee agency says white phosphorous hit its warehouse in the city center.
"I think our people have said if it looks like white phosphorous, if it acts like white phosphorus, it must be, white phosphorous," said Karen AbuZayd, UNWRA Commissioner-General.
Jodie Clark, a logistics officer for UNWRA, risked her life to pull a burning shell from under a fuel tanker.
"As I ran to the workshops another shell landed probably 30 meters in front of me and then just fireworks burst up from the ground and sprayed pellets of a burning substance all over the place," Clark said.
Pizzey showed part of one of the shells.
"The fire extinguisher didn't put it out, it continued to burn and in fact when we went back an hour later to fight the rest of the fire it was still burning," Clark said.
The Israelis have ordered an inquiry. But human rights groups are calling for an international investigation.
Latest Now in CBS Evening News
- Evening News Online, 02.09.12
- One mortgage mess culprit: Signature mills
- Remembering Kodak cameras
- Boston College documentary may hold secret confessions
- Obama frees 10 states from "No Child Left Behind"
- Assad continues relentless attack on Homs
- Inside the job of a robo-signer
- Big banks, gov't officials strike $25B deal
- Civilians bear the brunt of Syrian assault
- Oral history of N. Ireland strife raises dilemma
- Repairman reminisces as Kodak retires its cameras
- Evening News Online, 02.08.12
- Female soldiers tell stories from the frontlines
- Behind winter's wild weather
- Gas prices continue to creep up
- GOP turns up heat on Obama contraceptive law
- Do Santorum wins signal fundamental change in GOP?
Latest CBS News Headlines
on Facebook
on CBS News
- New Mom Fear
- Alcatel-Lucent returns to profit in 2011
- Afghan private security handover looking messy
- Oil below $100 amid signs of improving US economy
on Facebook
- Adele opens up about vocal cord surgery
- Tenn. father charged with murdering couple who"unfriended" daughter on Facebook
- Mo. teen gets life in prison for murder of 9-year-old girl
on CBS News






