This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/8490646.stm
The article has changed 20 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Israel disciplines top officers | Israel disciplines top officers |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Israel has revealed it has disciplined two senior officers in its defence forces for using white phosphorus shells during an offensive in Gaza. | Israel has revealed it has disciplined two senior officers in its defence forces for using white phosphorus shells during an offensive in Gaza. |
| The admission is contained in the Israeli response to the Goldstone report, which concluded both Israel and Hamas had committed war crimes. | The admission is contained in the Israeli response to the Goldstone report, which concluded both Israel and Hamas had committed war crimes. |
| Details of any punishment given to the pair have not yet been made clear. | |
| During the 22-day conflict last year media pictures showed incendiary shells raining down on a UN compound. | During the 22-day conflict last year media pictures showed incendiary shells raining down on a UN compound. |
| The officers ranks have been confirmed as a Brigadier-General and a Colonel. | |
| They were named in Israeli media reports as Gaza Division Commander Brig Gen Eyal Eisenberg and Givati Brigade Commander Col Ilan Malka. | |
| "Several artillery shells were fired in violation of the rules of engagement prohibiting use of such artillery near populated areas," the report says. | "Several artillery shells were fired in violation of the rules of engagement prohibiting use of such artillery near populated areas," the report says. |
| The officers were charged with "exceeding their authority" in ordering the use of the weapons in an attack on 15 January 2009. | |
| 'Buried' | |
| The BBC's Paul Wood in Jerusalem says it is the first time Israel has revealed it disciplined any officer for their actions during the offensive, named by the Israeli military as Operation Cast Lead. | The BBC's Paul Wood in Jerusalem says it is the first time Israel has revealed it disciplined any officer for their actions during the offensive, named by the Israeli military as Operation Cast Lead. |
| Gaza case studies: Weapons use Q&A: White phosphorus injuries UN criticises Israelis over Gaza Israel phosphorus use criticised Israel defends use of phosphorus | Gaza case studies: Weapons use Q&A: White phosphorus injuries UN criticises Israelis over Gaza Israel phosphorus use criticised Israel defends use of phosphorus |
| This is the first time that Israel has acknowledged allegations by the UN and other international organisations that white phosphorous was used in such a way as to endanger civilians during the Gaza war. | |
| Our correspondent says the admission was buried in the document handed to the United Nations on Friday. | Our correspondent says the admission was buried in the document handed to the United Nations on Friday. |
| The UN General Assembly has demanded that both Israel and Hamas launch independent investigations into their conduct during the Israeli operation which began in December 2008. | The UN General Assembly has demanded that both Israel and Hamas launch independent investigations into their conduct during the Israeli operation which began in December 2008. |
| An Israeli official said the submission to the UN was not intended to respond in detail to the allegations and incidents outlined in the Goldstone report, but to explain why the Israeli justice system was "reliable" and "independent". | An Israeli official said the submission to the UN was not intended to respond in detail to the allegations and incidents outlined in the Goldstone report, but to explain why the Israeli justice system was "reliable" and "independent". |
| The Islamist movement Hamas has denied that its forces deliberately targeted civilians with rockets. | The Islamist movement Hamas has denied that its forces deliberately targeted civilians with rockets. |
| Both sides have until 5 February to respond in detail to the UN General Assembly's request for independent investigations to be launched. | |
| White phosphorous, which is used to lay smokescreens, is legal for use on open ground but its use in built-up areas where civilians are found is banned under international conventions. | |
| 'Repeated use' | 'Repeated use' |
| TV pictures showed chunks of brightly burning phosphorus, streaming white smoke, landing in the courtyard of a UN compound in Beit Lahiya. | |
| The UN compound was severely damaged and people sheltering their were injured. | |
| Human Rights Watch, the New York based rights group, said Israel's use of phosphorus weapons was more widespread and many people had died as a result of burn injuries. | |
| Its report concluded that the Israeli military "repeatedly exploded white phosphorus munitions in the air over populated areas, killing and injuring civilians and damaging civilian structures, including a school, a market, a humanitarian aid warehouse and a hospital". | |
| In March the Israeli Defence Force issued a written statement in response to these allegations. | |
| "Based on the findings at this stage, it is already possible to conclude that the IDF's use of smoke shells was in accordance with international law. The claim that smoke shells were used indiscriminately, or to threaten the civilian population, is baseless," it said. | "Based on the findings at this stage, it is already possible to conclude that the IDF's use of smoke shells was in accordance with international law. The claim that smoke shells were used indiscriminately, or to threaten the civilian population, is baseless," it said. |