GENEVA, May 23, 2009 (KUNA) -- Action of Citizens for the total Dismantling of Nukes (ACDN) said Saturday that it has just produced a 33-page report concluding that the presence of as much as 75 tons of depleted uranium in Gaza soil is highly probable to the Israeli "Operation Cast Lead" offensive.



The operation took place between December 27, 2008 and January 18, 2009.



During the first few days, a Norwegian doctor doing humanitarian service in the hospital at Shifa, Dr Mads Gilbert, denounced the presence of radioactive matter, possibly depleted uranium, in the bodies of victims.



This accusation has now emerged with greater strength after several months of investigation carried out in close liaison with the people concerned and with the help of Jean-Francois Fechino, a consultant on diffuse pollution and an expert accredited to the UN Environment (UNEP).



In April 2009, a four-person mission including Fechino, went to Gaza under the auspices of the Arab Commission for Human Rights.



The samples of earth and dust that they brought back from Gaza were then analysed by a specialist laboratory, which found in them elements of depleted uranium (which is radioactive, carcinogenic, teratogenic), particles of cesium (which is radioactive and carcinogenic), asbestos dust (which is carcinogenic), volatile organic compounds (VOCs, which are fine particles which endanger health, especially the health of children, asthmatics and old people), phosphates (from oxidation of white phosphorus), tungsten (which is carcinogenic), copper, aluminium oxide (which is carcinogenic), and thorium oxide (ThO2, which is radioactive).









