6th June 2024 (12 Topics)
1
Jun
3
Jun
4
Jun
5
Jun
6
Jun
7
Jun
8
Jun
10
Jun
11
Jun
12
Jun
13
Jun
14
Jun
15
Jun
17
Jun
18
Jun
19
Jun
20
Jun
21
Jun
22
Jun
24
Jun
25
Jun
26
Jun
27
Jun
28
Jun
29
Jun
White Phosphorus
About
A global human rights group accused Israel of using white phosphorus incendiary shells on residential buildings in conflict-hit southern Lebanon, possibly harming civilians and violating international law.
What is White Phosphorus?
- White phosphorus is a solid waxy substance that looks yellowish or colorless.
- It has a distinct garlic-like smell.
- Uses and Properties:
- White phosphorus ignites instantly when it touches oxygen.
- Militaries use it for lighting up battlefields, creating smoke screens, and as an incendiary.
- Once ignited, it's hard to put out, and it sticks to surfaces like skin and clothes.
- Health Risks: White phosphorus is harmful to humans in all forms of contact.
- Its smoke contains phosphoric acids and phosphine, which can harm the eyes and respiratory system.
- Contact with white phosphorus can cause deep and severe burns, even penetrating through bone.
- Ban: The incendiary substance is not banned, but its use in densely populated areas has been widely condemned.
International Law and White Phosphorus:
- While international law doesn't outright ban incendiary weapons like white phosphorus, its use in densely populated areas has been widely condemned.
- When white phosphorus is used as an incendiary weapon (not for chemical warfare), it's regulated by Protocol III of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons.
- Violation of the convention happens only if it's deliberately used as an incendiary weapon against humans in civilian areas like cities or residential areas.
Fact Box: Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons:
|
Courses
Study
Notes
Home
Resources
More
