Did Israel Really Drop a Lethal White Phosphorus Bomb at Shati Refugee Camp? Read Full Report

The month-long conflict between Israel and the Hamas terrorist organization has entered a critical phase. Countries such as Iran and Qatar have been providing essential support to Hamas, sustaining their campaign against Israel. In the age of social media, the dissemination of misinformation has become a powerful weapon, significantly influencing the narrative of the conflict. Amid this backdrop, reports of Israeli defense forces using white phosphorus bombs have dominated the recent news cycle.

White phosphorus is an incendiary weapon, capable of igniting fires through the combustion of phosphorus at extremely high temperatures, approximately 1,500 degrees Fahrenheit. The use of phosphorus bombs has gained significant attention in the media.

International law explicitly prohibits the deployment of white phosphorus shells in densely populated civilian areas. However, it’s important to note that white phosphorus weapons themselves are not banned, and they are permitted for use in open areas for troop cover. Humanitarian law demands that military operations be conducted with precision and care.

Understanding the gravity of the situation, it’s crucial to recognize that the Gaza Strip is one of the most densely populated regions on Earth. Any reports indicating the use of phosphorus bombs could lead to accusations of war crimes against Israel, thereby benefiting the Hamas terrorist organization, and indirectly, Iran and Qatar.

Islamist media house Quds News Network wrote on X, “ Israeli warplanes drop internationally banned white phosphorus bombs on an UNRWA-run school in the Shati refugee camp in Gaza.”

Jackson Hinkle, a constant fake news spreader also tweeted the video claiming that Israel dropped an illegal white phosphorus bomb on civilians in Gaza. However, Hinkle deleted his tweet. (Archive link)

Investigative journalist Sulaiman Ahmed on X, ” ISRAEL IDF DROP ILLEGAL WHITE PHOSPHORUS BOMB ON A UNRWA SCHOOL IN PALESTINE.”

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Fact check

We will present the two video evidence of white phosphorus bomb looks like.

To give words to the YouTube video presented above- When a white phosphorus bomb is fired, it typically appears as a bright white or yellowish flare or streak of light. The appearance can be similar to a firework or a flare. The phosphorus ignites upon contact with the air and produces a bright and intense light. This is the initial stage when the bomb is deployed or fired.

Once the white phosphorus bomb reaches its target or the area it is intended to affect, it can release a cloud of white smoke and burning particles. The smoke produced can obstruct vision and provide cover, making it challenging for those on the ground to see and move. The burning particles can cause fires on the ground, and the heat generated by the combustion can be extremely intense.

Now, we will present two video evidence of how a smoke grenade works:

If we differentiate between the smoke caused by a white phosphorus bomb and a smoke grenade we will find that the smoke produced by a white phosphorus bomb is thick, white, and extremely hot. It can create fires and cause severe burns to those exposed to it. The smoke’s primary function is to provide a visual barrier and inflict damage, whereas The smoke produced by a smoke grenade is typically less intense and less hot compared to the smoke from a white phosphorus bomb. The color of the smoke can vary based on the type of smoke compound used, with options including white, gray, or colored smoke. Smoke grenades are generally designed to provide temporary visual cover and do not cause fires or severe burns.

In the video disseminated by the Quds News Network, several noteworthy observations debunk the authenticity of the alleged bomb being a white phosphorus bomb. Firstly, there is a substantial crowd of individuals in close proximity to the purported bomb. Additionally, the existence of a front-facing video recording from the vicinity of the bomb strongly suggests that it is not a white phosphorus bomb. Such video capture is characteristic of smoke grenades, allowing for safe documentation, as evidenced in the YouTube video. As a result, the viral video can be confidently deemed as fake.

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