Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center

The Meir Amit

Intelligence and Terrorism

Information Center November 28, 2010 http://www.terrorism-info.org.il/malam_multimedia/English/eng_n/html/ipc_e144.htm Terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip have recently once again made use

of phosphorus-containing 120-mm mortar shells Eshkol Regional Council PR department

One of the phosphorus mortar shells located in Israeli territory

(Eshkol Regional Council PR department) Overview 1. On November 19, a phosphorus-containing mortar shell was fired at Israel

from the Gaza Strip. It was part of an unusual attack consisting of four

rockets and seven mortar shells, which may have been fired in response to

the killing of Islam Yassin, an Army of Islam operative who was planning to

abduct Israelis in the Sinai Peninsula. The Israeli Foreign Minister

instructed the Israeli ambassador to the UN to submit a complaint to the UN

Secretary General and to the Security Council chairman (Israel's Foreign

Ministry website, November 19, 2010). 2. In a previous incident which took place on the morning of September 15,

2010, one day after the Sharm el-Sheikh summit,1 terrorist organizations in

the Gaza Strip fired an exceptional number of rockets and mortar shells at

Israel (about 10 rockets). The mortar shells landed in the Eshkol Regional

Council territory. At least two of them were 120-mm mortar shells which

contained white phosphorus.2 No casualties or damage were reported. 3. Terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip have used phosphorus-containing

mortar shells before. In Operation Cast Lead, a number of such mortar shells

were fired on IDF forces, probably by Hamas. Prior to these two incidents,

however, terrorist organizations operating in the Gaza Strip avoided making

routine use of such mortar shells. Implications of the phosphorus mortar shell fire 4. A phosphorus shell is a mortar shell based on white phosphorus. The

phosphorus ignites on contact with oxygen. The shell continues to burn as

long as the ignition substance inside remains in contact with oxygen.

Phosphorus shells are mostly used to hit exposed infantry, create smoke

screens, and obstruct visibility for forces on the ground. 5. The collateral damage caused by phosphorus-containing mortar shells is

relatively small compared to regular explosive mortar shells; however, they

may have a major negative impact on morale. On contact with the human body,

the phosphorus may cause extensive burns and even damage to internal organs.

The shells can also cause fires and set crops on fire. Terrorist organizations' reaction to charges of using phosphorus shells 6. In the two incidents, Hamas denied using phosphorus-containing mortar

shells: a. Hamas administration spokesman Taher al-Nunu claimed that Foreign

Minister Lieberman�s remarks on the use of phosphorus shells were untrue. He

said they were designed to cast the �resistance� (i.e., the terrorist

organizations) in a negative light and provide an excuse for Israel�s own

use of such ammunition (Al-Quds TV, November 20, 2010). b. Spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri claimed that no �phosphorus bombs� had been

fired at Israel and that Israel was making an attempt to justify its

intensifying military operations against the Gaza Strip and divert public

opinion on the international scene (Palestine-info, September 15, 2010). c. On the other hand, an Al-Jazeera reporter said that the use of

phosphorus was hardly a surprise. Al-Jazeera crew doing a research piece on

the activity of the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades (the Hamas military wing)

had discovered that they recycled white phosphorus from Israeli shells found

in the Gaza Strip and stored it in the Gaza Strip, apparently for future use

(Al-Jazeera, September 16, 2010). 1 Following up on the re-launch of direct negotiations in Washington on

September 14, a summit was held in Sharm el-Sheikh between Israel�s PM

Benjamin Netanyahu and PA chairman Mahmoud Abbas. The summit was also

attended by Egypt�s President Mubarak, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary

Clinton, and U.S. special envoy George Mitchell. 2 Following are technical details on the 120-mm phosphorus mortar shell:

warhead�white phosphorus, a substance which spontaneously ignites on contact

with oxygen and creates a smoke screen; diameter�120 mm; length�about 60 cm

(2 feet); weight�about 13 kg (29 lbs.); range�about 6 km (4 mi).