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| Israel admits phosphorus bombing | |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Israel has for the first time admitted it used controversial phosphorus bombs during fighting against Hezbollah in Lebanon in July and August. | |
| Cabinet minister Jacob Edery confirmed the bombs were dropped "against military targets in open ground". | Cabinet minister Jacob Edery confirmed the bombs were dropped "against military targets in open ground". |
| Israel had previously said the weapons were used only to mark targets. | Israel had previously said the weapons were used only to mark targets. |
| Phosphorus weapons cause chemical burns and the Red Cross and human rights groups say they should be treated as chemical weapons. | Phosphorus weapons cause chemical burns and the Red Cross and human rights groups say they should be treated as chemical weapons. |
| The Geneva Conventions ban the use of white phosphorus as an incendiary weapon against civilian populations and in air attacks against military forces in civilian areas. | |
| Hospitals | Hospitals |
| Mr Edery says he confirmed during a parliamentary session last week on behalf of Defence Minister Amir Peretz that the weapons were used in fighting. | Mr Edery says he confirmed during a parliamentary session last week on behalf of Defence Minister Amir Peretz that the weapons were used in fighting. |
| "The Israeli army made use of phosphorus shells during the war against Hezbollah in attacks against military targets in open ground," he said. | |
| No information was given on when, where or how the shells were used. | No information was given on when, where or how the shells were used. |
| Lebanon had accused Israel of using the weapons but at the time Israeli officials said they were only for marking. | Lebanon had accused Israel of using the weapons but at the time Israeli officials said they were only for marking. |
| Lebanese President Emile Lahoud said in late July: "According to the Geneva Convention, when they use phosphorus bombs and laser bombs, is that allowed against civilians and children?" | |
| Doctors in hospitals in southern Lebanon had said they suspected some of the burns they were seeing were being caused by phosphorus bombs. | |
| Israeli forces said the arms used in Lebanon did not contravene international norms. | Israeli forces said the arms used in Lebanon did not contravene international norms. |