Israel faces allegations of war crimes

Per The National and BBC, allegations of improper use of white phosphorus in civilian areas during its three-week Gaza offensive are starting to hound Israel.

This week, Human Rights Watch (HRW) made public a 71-page report giving witness statements of the effects of white phosphorus in civilian areas. The group called for Israel to stop using the incendiary substance in January during the Gaza attack. While White phosphorus is legal under international law, HRW said it believes the chemical should not be used in densely-packed civilian areas like Gaza, due to the "horrific burns" it can cause.

The Israel Defense Force (IDF) issued a statement saying it was conducting an investigation, but could already conclude that it used munitions in accordance with international law.

Some Twitterers disputed the veracity of the claims.

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   islamwest #Israel War Crimes or Journalistic Pogrom ? http://bit.ly/1AMU0 25 Mar 2009 from TweetDeck
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   IsraelSupporter "War Crimes" and Shoddy Journalism - Ha'aretz and The Guardian's war crimes allegations debunked: http://tr.im/hNqL #israel #tcot 25 Mar 2009 from tr.im
   
   

Others wondered about independent investigations of both IDF and Hamas.

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   npte2009 Elim Res 2b: The European Union should establish a tribunal for violations of international law committed by Hamas and/or Israel in Gaza. 22 Mar 2009 from web
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   JonBibbs SMH. Even Israel's own soldiers are testifying as witnesses of war crimes against the Palestinians. I wonder what the U.N. will do? 26 Mar 2009 from twhirl

Some expressed frustration and cynicism, while others continued to investigate.

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   1D4TW #gaza: #israel "Dissident Voice : Israel’s Attack on Gaza: Legitimate Self Defense or War Crime?" ( http://tinyurl.com/ak7n3l ) 15 Mar 2009 from twitthat
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   lubzi i discovered one of my favourite twitters is an israel crimes defender. he must be chosen or something. frack this-what's wrong with humans? 17 Mar 2009 from TweetDeck
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   gildassapiens Israel allows Palestinians only 78% of water needed for health. Do you want to die of thirst or in an IDF holy war crime? http://bit.ly/M4XA 20 Mar 2009 from Power Twitter
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   fjb_123 Israel Troops Admit Gaza Abuses.....: But They’re Not Human Beings, They are Not People, They are Arabs! Or as m.. http://tinyurl.com/cfqht3 21 Mar 2009 from twitterfeed

Finally, the Huffington Post Tweeted a link to a video.

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   HuffPostWorld HRW released a report accusing Israel of war crimes in Gaza. Check out their video of a UN school attacked: http://tinyurl.com/dzh5fz 26 Mar 2009 from web

Israel faces allegations of war crimes