Web sites have reported that Israel used phosphorous bombs in its attack on Gaza, and this was denied by Israel.
So what are phosphorous bombs?
How does it work?
What is the first aid to deal with white phosphorous?
What are the tips to protect against aerial bombardment in general?
Today, Monday morning, AFP correspondents spotted huge plumes of gray smoke rising from the "FOMCO" sponge factory, east of Jebelba camp.
According to a statement by the Civil Defense, the factory was targeted by "incendiary phosphorous shells and smoke bombs that led to the outbreak of large fires inside the warehouses as they contained highly flammable materials."
Since May 10, more than 200 Palestinians, including two doctors, and at least 59 children have been killed, and more than 1,305 people have been wounded, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health.
Since the start of the Israeli bombing of the Gaza Strip, "hundreds of posts have appeared on social media claiming that the Israeli army is spreading white phosphorous in Gaza," according to a report in the American magazine Newsweek.
The report said that white phosphorous is a highly toxic chemical that burns in the air and causes severe burns to the skin and eyes.
Smoke can also cause eye and respiratory infections, as well as stomach irritation.
In extreme cases, it can mutilate and kill by burning the bone.
Newsweek reported that in 2013 Israel said it would stop using white phosphorous munitions to create smoke screens on the battlefield, and no official has confirmed the use of the toxin since then.
Several posts on social media link to a video showing explosions that could be white phosphorous, but military experts who spoke to Newsweek were unable to verify that it had been used.
Asked if the rumors were true, an Israeli army spokesman denied any use of white phosphorous, telling Newsweek, "The information I mentioned is false. The IDF has not released any such ammunition."
Nicholas Heras, senior analyst and head of the State Resilience and Fragility, Newlines Institute for Strategy and Policy, told Newsweek: “The IDF has generally tried to stay away from the use of white phosphorous munitions during "In the past decade, the Israelis even tried to adapt their urban warfare doctrine to using this type of ammunition to a lesser extent. Nevertheless, white phosphorous is still in the arsenal of the IDF."
When asked why white phosphorous remains in the arsenal, Heras said, “White phosphorous munitions have a special use on the battlefield, and it is a weapon of last resort to eliminate enemies holed up in buildings in urban areas. However, the challenge is with the deployment of white phosphorous munitions, the contexts "In which these munitions will be used to eject enemy forces entrenched in urban areas; is also the context in which there are large numbers of civilians near where the white phosphorous munitions are in use. The deployment of white phosphorous munitions always poses a risk of killing civilians."
What is white phosphorous?
White phosphorous - also known as "white phosphorus munitions" - is "a chemical substance that is deployed by artillery shells, bombs, rockets and mortar shells, and is used primarily to camouflage ground military operations. When this substance is fired and upon impact on the ground or upon its explosion) By air; emits dense white smoke used by the military to hide the movement of forces, "according to a lengthy report issued by Human Rights Watch in 2009, which documented the use of this munition in the Israeli war on Gaza from December 27, 2008. , Until January 18, 2009, in the name of Operation "Cast Lead."
The report added that white phosphorous smoke interrupts infrared weapons tracking systems, thus protecting military forces from guided weapons such as anti-tank guided missiles.
Its use in open areas is permitted under international law, but air-burst white phosphorous over populated areas is illegal as it exposes civilians to unnecessary dangers, and the spread of its burning fragments over a wide area can amount to an indiscriminate attack.
White phosphorous can also be used as a weapon against hard military targets, such as concrete trenches, but it cannot be used as an anti-personnel weapon when another weapon is available that causes less unnecessary suffering.
White phosphorous is not considered a chemical weapon, and it is not prohibited because it is a chemical weapon.
White phosphorous ignites and burns on contact with oxygen, and continues to burn until 1500 degrees Fahrenheit (816 degrees Celsius) until there is nothing left of it or until the oxygen around it ends.
And when white phosphorous comes into contact with the skin, it causes intense and permanent burns, and sometimes it reaches the bone.
Physical contamination with white phosphorous is possible, and the body's absorption of this chemical may cause severe damage to the internal organs, and may result in death.
The report said that according to a medical report prepared by the Ministry of Health during the hostilities, "white phosphorous may cause injury or death when it comes into contact with the skin, or when it is inhaled or swallowed."
The report states that burns inflicted on less than 10% of the body may be fatal.
It may damage the liver, kidneys or heart.
In Gaza (in Operation Cast Lead 2008-2009), most of the Israeli army's use of white phosphorous was in the form of air-burst phosphorous from 155mm artillery shells, and each air-burst shell disperses 116 burning white phosphorous fragments spread over an area extending over a distance. 125 meters from the blast point, depending on the circumstances and angle of the attack.
The report said - at the time - that the total number of Palestinians killed and injured by white phosphorous is not known and is likely to remain unknown.
The report documented 6 cases representing a select group of white phosphorous attacks on Gaza, which resulted in white phosphorous shells and burning white phosphorous shrapnel, as well as burning fires.
12 civilians were killed, including 3 women and 7 children, and one of them was a 15-month-old child.
Dozens were injured as a result of burns and smoke inhalation.
Human Rights Watch encountered cases of civilians who were still affected by injuries from stepping on remnants of white phosphorous with feet 12 days after the cessation of major hostilities.
What is first aid when exposed to white phosphorous?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, initial treatment is primarily supportive.
In cases of skin or eye exposure, this includes the immediate removal of burnt white phosphorous particles from the eyes or skin of the patient / victim.
And if the skin or eyes are contaminated with white phosphorous, cover them with a cold damp cloth to avoid re-ignition.
There is no "antidote" for white phosphorous toxicity.
Some first aid tips for dealing with white phosphorous.
Aid when the eyes are exposed to white phosphorous:
Immediately remove the victim from the source of exposure.
Immediately flush eyes with large amounts of cold water for at least 15 minutes.
Keep exposed eyes covered with wet compresses to prevent white phosphorous particles from "re-igniting".
Avoid using oily or oily ointments that may increase the absorption of white phosphorous.
Consider applying "eye cage";
To prevent direct pressure on the eyeball.
Seek medical attention immediately.
First aid when inhaling white phosphorous:
Immediately remove the victim from the source of exposure.
Respiratory function and pulse assessment.
Ensure that the victim has an unobstructed airway.
If shortness of breath occurs or breathing is difficult (dyspnea), give oxygen.
If breathing stops (apnea), provide artificial respiration.
Monitor the patient / victim for signs of whole-body (systemic) effects and administer symptomatic therapy as necessary.
Seek medical attention immediately.
Aid when skin is exposed to white phosphorous:
Immediately remove the victim from the source of exposure.
Soak the affected skin areas in cold water or cover them with a wet bandage at all times.
Vigorous washing with cold water is the best way to remove the white phosphorous from the skin.
Remove visible particles of white phosphorous while washing with large amounts of cold water or while soaking the area with cold water.
The use of cold water is very important, but care must also be taken to protect the victim from hypothermia.
Avoid using oily or oily ointments that may increase the absorption of white phosphorous.
Watch the victim for signs of (systemic) effects on the whole body.
Seek medical attention immediately.
How to protect yourself from air attacks?
A publication from the World Health Organization provides the following advice to protect against airstrikes:
Take shelter:
There are a few places where you should look for shelter;
Underground, basements, or tunnels, and it is best to stay near walls that do not have windows or glass, but do not lean on them.
Avoid touching a hard wall, as you may be exposed to shock.
If you are outside, head to the nearest building.
If you can't find underground shelter, take cover at the bottom of the building.
Stay away from windows.
Cover windows with protective plastic sheeting and tape if possible (to prevent glass from flying off).
If you are out in the open, and if there are no buildings to be reached immediately, find the lowest area of land - say a ditch - and go in, and stay low.
As shrapnel from an exploding bomb is flying higher, the safest area is the lowest level on the ground.
Lie on your face and place your head between your arms.
Other protective measures
Cover the exposed skin with any non-flammable material during shelling, if possible.
If these materials are not available, even a coat, jacket, or newspaper may be able to protect your skin from serious burns.
Close your eyes, as this prevents debris from entering them.
Keep your mouth slightly open to protect the lungs from injury from bursting.
General recommendations
Determine the safest room in your home. For example, if there is no basement, the bathrooms are often more secure and have few windows.
Make sure you have plastic sheeting and duct tape ready to put on your windows, this will help protect them from shattering due to the impact of the explosion.
Create a custom shelter using nightstand, mattresses, and books.
Lie on the floor with your hands above your head and your mouth slightly open.
Make sure you have drinking water (like filling the bathtub with water), food, and electricity and gas off.
Do not do the following when exposed to a raid
Don't look at the airstrike.
Don't go out of your shelter and take photos of the airstrike.
Do not take shelter near windows.
Do not lean against a wall.
Gather in large groups, especially outdoors.