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).