Two senior IDF officers have been found to have “endangered human life” during last year’s Gaza operation, by firing white phosphorous towards a UN compound, injuring an aid worker.
Gaza Division Commander Brigadier-General Eyal Eisenberg and Givati Brigade Commander Colonel Ilan Malka were subject to disciplinary action from the IDF command but details of the officers’ punishments were not revealed.
The IDF investigation found the men had exceeded their authority when they approved the use of white phosphorous fired in the direction of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency in Tel al-Hawa, southern Gaza City.
Many human rights organisations and the UN Goldstone Report into Operation Cast Lead said that the white phosphorous had been illegally used by the IDF.
Pieces of felt, soaked in white phosphorous were dropped on the compound, and burnt the skins of a UN employee and two Palestinians sheltering in the building.
The Israeli forces argued that the smoke, emitted when the felt is dropped, was used to create cover for the IDF to attack Hamas fighters, whom they knew were located behind the UN compound.
The disciplinary comes as part of a wider IDF investigation into 150 of the most serious incidents during Operation Cast Lead.
The investigation was ordered in the wake of the UN Goldstone Report into the conflict, which found both Israel and Hamas guilty of war crimes. Human Rights organisations and members of the IDF have also recommended incidents they feel worthy of investigation.
[adrotate group=”10″]
