Israeli army says it will halt its use of white phosphorous shells
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Israel's army says it will soon halt its use of white phosphorous shells after years of international criticism for using the incendiary munitions in crowded Palestinian areas.
Israel's army said in a statement on Thursday that it would replace white phosphorous shells with based entirely on gas. Officials didn't offer further details, nor give a specific date for when they would retire the shells.
Israel came under heavy criticism after the three-week winter war in Gaza in 2008 and 2009 against the territory's Hamas for using white phosphorous shells. During the conflict, shells were used against a U.N. warehouse where more than 700 Palestinians were sheltering.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}White phosphorus can be used legally in some battlefield situations, but Israel's use of it in Gaza drew war crimes allegations by the U.N.