Cast Lead’s goal was to “restore Israel’s deterrence and show Hezbollah, Iran, and Syria that it was too dangerous to challenge Israel.” – American scholar Anthony Cordesman.
Norman Finkelstein reports testimonies from Israeli military veterans who had participated in Operation Cast Lead (2008) that everything is permisable, even firing white phosphorous, “because it’s fun. Cool’” (Gaza: An Inquest Into Its Martyrdom, p.75).
The Israel Defence Force (IDF) fired white phosphorous at the UNWRA HQ in Gaza City, at the UN Beit Lahiya school and at the Al Quds hospital even though precise coordinates had been given. It was deliberate targetting of civilians with one of the most appallingly cruel weapons. White phosphorous can reach 816 degrees Celsius and cause horrific burns which can eat through bone and spontaneously ignite when exposed to air, thus posing awful risks to surgeons exposing white phosphorous within the body. It turns into phosphoric acid when inhaled or touches the eyes causing fatality and blindness. Major organs like liver and kidneys are attacked.
Human Rights Watch verified its extensive use by Israel in populated areas of South Lebanon between October 2023 and June 2024. They analysed 100 photos and videos finding evidence of white phosphorous use in 47 of them (https://www.hrw.org/report/2024/11/07/beyond-burning/ripple-effects-incendiary-weapons-and-increasing-calls).
Bretton-Gordon, a retired British Army Chemical Weapons expert, said, “We all cry into our teacups on Sunday morning when we see all these pictures of melting children, Quite frankly, it’s our fault. Some of the things I’ve seen have been indescribable and you just think, crikey, when are we as a government and people going to do something about this? (https://www.newsweek.com/why-united-nations-not-investigating-alleged-white-phosphorus-attacks-1468042).
When will the Australian government unreservedly condemn its use by Israel in Gaza and Lebanon or is the sight of burnt babies not enough to stir them?
—
Gareth W R Smith
Palestine Liberation Centre
14 Cumbebin Park
Byron Bay
NSW 2481
Australia
Tel: (61)2-56058404
MOB: 0491107279
“Those who can make you believe in absurdities can make you commit atrocities.” Voltaire
George Orwell, ‘Political language is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give an appearance of solidity to pure wind.’
“The sleep of reason produces monsters.” Goya
