In case any doubt remained as to whether the IDF is using white phosphorous in Gaza:

AP and Reuters

Thursday, 15 January 2009

The UN refugee agency says its Gaza headquarters has been struck by Israeli artillery fire and the building is now ablaze.

Spokesman Chris Gunness says the building was hit by what was believed to be three white phosphorous shells. The weapons burn at extremely high temperatures and can set things on fire.

However, witnesses said a nearby building was struck, and the UN building remained intact. It was hard to verify the accounts because the entire area was covered in black smoke.

Gunness says the building had been used as a shelter for hundreds of people fleeing Israel's 20-day offensive in Gaza. It's not clear how many people were there at the time. He says three people were injured.

The Israeli army had no immediate comment on the incident.

interviewed on Al Jazeera a few minutes ago, the Israelis shelled what he called the "workshop" in the very large UN compound in Gaza City and it was on fire. He said there was no way to put the fire out, even if they had the water and the firefighting personnel to do so, as it appeared to have been started by white phosphorous. He said it would just have to burn itself out, meaning that most of the supplies -- hundreds of tons of food, water, and medical aid stored adjacent to the warehouse -- would be destroyed. Al Jazeera witnessed the shelling from their location atop a building not too far away and said that there were three white phosphorus shells bursting over the compound, and that the fire started almost immediately thereafter.

The international media facility -- housing Reuters among others -- was also shelled and evacuated. Two journalists were injured.

Marc Regev was interviewed about this incident, and he claimed, as is his way, that there was no proof any shells came from Israeli forces.

regard for God, man or international law. Medical doctors in Gaza are trying to treat patients with horrible burns which they reckon "prove use of phosphorus" ("The Times - London Jan. 15) Hebrew writing on the shell-casing reads "exploding smoke", the term the Israeli army uses for white phosphorus. Witnesses in Gaza said that the shell was fired on January 9. They recalled seeing thick smoke and smelling a strong odour in keeping with the garlic-like smell associated with white phosphorus. Residents suffered burns on their feet when they walked in the area where the shelling had taken place.

Barak, who has a lisp, threatened "War to the bitter end". One thing is sure and that's the legacy of bitterness that will be testament to Israel's callous cruelty. This 60 year old country has forfeited the right to consider itself civilized.

to write "frenzy" - a medieval word which used to mean "mental derangement".

perhaps an encomium to justice at a time of mass murder in Gaza. As Chris Gunness of UN RWA has descibed it, the people of Gaza are "terrorised, traumatised, trapped". I don't know what exactly you're bringing to the table but you can leave in a huff any time you like, as you're evidently a cut above everyone else arguing on this thread. Sorry that the table-cloth turned out to be polyester instead of the fine linen to which you've been accustomed, although you didn't say where the refined discourse on Israel's 20 day assault on the Gaza Ghetto was available.

John Ging is a retired Irish army officer, who would have past experience serving in that capacity with UNIFIL on the Israeli/Lebanese border.

If he says that the munitions which hit the UN premises are white phosphorous, I would take that as conclusive proof.

is being matched by numerous Arab potentates' languid indifference to the plight of the Palestinians in Gaza.

The Autocratic Rulers of Egypt, Jordan, and wouldn't you know it, Saudi Arabia have decided to play some very nasty, but oh so casual, games with the Palestinians and the Israelis, using the cruelty of the Israelis to advance their own agendas and purposes, since it wouldn't be prudent for them to exercise that cruelty themselves. They've got enough trouble with their "street" as it is.

It seems the Potentates may be thinking ugly thoughts like this: Why not let the Zionists have their way for a while, and why not just sit back and let events unfold? Yes, yes, yes, some of those poor pitiful Palestinians will be dispatched to Heaven, but that's a reward for Martyrs, yes? Many more will be injured, but they will -- eventually -- be cared for, and if they know what's good for them, they'll be grateful. Hmm. Gratitude. That's something this howling mob of Palestinian ingrates need to learn anyway, isn't it? Yes. As for the destruction, everybody knows it will be repaired fairly quickly -- certainly more quickly than the decadent Americans repaired the damage from that Hurricane in New Orleans. Our construction contractors are the best, isn't that right Sheikh bin Laden? Yes. Well...

To remind everyone of the main point: that "educating" people through death and violence is a good definition of "terrorism", and further, that making such a point would otherwise be deemed as supporting terrorism, but for the context in which Friedman's remarks arose.

currently director of operations in Gaza for the UN Refugee and Works Agency; in other words, head of the UN relief agency which operates the facility where the fire is burning.

I could tell by his accent (and his fury) he was Irish, but thanks for the info about his Irish military background. He has been consistently so outraged and disgusted with the actions of the Israelis throughout this catastrophe, and so articulate in his rage, he's oddly been an inspiration for hope. It's gonna take that sort of explosive anger to make a serious difference in the situation. Eventually.

"These are not mere word games, but some of the most powerful tools used by this criminal administration to accomplish their goals."

In my opinion, this can not be stated often enough...so I'll repeat myself:

H. Dumpty said it best:

“‘When I use a word,’ Humpty Dumpty said, in a rather scornful tone, ‘it means just what I choose it to mean, neither more nor less.’

‘The question is,’ said Alice, ‘whether you can make words mean so many different things.’

‘The question is,’ said Humpty Dumpty, ‘which is to be master - that’s all.’”