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Sunday, February 22, 2009

Israel-Hamas arms embargo urged


Amnesty International has called for a freeze on arms sales to Israel, Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups following the recent Gaza conflict.
The human rights group said it had evidence both Israel and Hamas had used weapons sourced from overseas to carry out attacks on civilians.
It called for the UN Security Council to impose the embargo on all parties.
Both Israel and Hamas have rejected the conclusions of the report, in which Amnesty accuses each of war crimes.
In the report, Israel is accused of illegal use of white phosphorus and other armaments supplied by the US in Gaza, while Hamas is condemned for launching unguided rockets into Israel.
[Israeli] attacks resulted in the death of hundreds of children and other civilians and massive destruction of homes and infrastructure
Donatella RoveraAmnesty International
Israel defends use of phosphorus
Q&A: White phosphorus injuriesIsrael has denied the allegations.
Israeli government spokesman Mark Regev told the BBC: "The IDF, the Israeli Defence Forces, only use weapons that are in accordance with international law.
"We did not use any such munition as an anti-personnel weapon; we are investigating ourselves."
White phosphorus, which is used to lay smokescreens, is legal for use on open ground but its use in built-up areas where civilians are found is banned under international conventions.

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