[Washington Post] Howard Schneider - White phosphorus shells are used as an "obscurant" to hide troop movements or block an enemy's vision. Israeli military officials said the shells, designed to produce a smoke screen, were used in accordance with accepted rules. The IDF said: "These shells were used for specific operational needs only and in accord with international humanitarian law. The claim that smoke shells were used indiscriminately, or to threaten the civilian population, is baseless."
2009-03-26 06:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive