JERUSALEM — A human rights group says that Israel fired white phosphorous shells indiscriminately over densely populated Gaza, and that this is evidence of war crimes.
Human Rights Watch issued a report today on the use of white phosphorous shells during Israel’s three-week war in Gaza.
A common military use of white phosphorous is to obscure the operations of troops in open areas. However, Human Rights Watch says Israel fired these shells repeatedly over crowded neighborhoods.
The group says safer smoke shells were available. The report says civilians suffered and died needlessly, and senior commanders should be held accountable.
The Israeli military had no immediate comment. It has said in the past it is investigating the use of white phosphorous.
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