A report submitted by the occupation Israel government to U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on its conduct during the 2008 to 2009 invasion of Gaza confirms key findings of the Goldstone inquiry including the use of white phosphorous in civilian areas. The report states that white phosphorous shells were used in the vicinity of a U.N. compound in Gaza that housed hundreds of civilians as well as medical and food supplies. "One of the most widely reported incidents during the Gaza Operation involved the UNRWA field office compound, where three individuals were injured and significant property damage resulted from the use of smoke-screen munitions containing white phosphorous," the report states. "Additional damage occurred due to the use of high explosive shells in the vicinity of the compound." The Goldstone report said Israel used white phosphorous munitions in a "reckless" manner. White phosphorous is an incendiary device used to provide a smoke screen. When it comes into contact with human skin, it burns for days and can cause extensive kidney and liver damage. While not banned under international law, the use of these weapons in the vicinity of civilians is prohibited. The Israeli report also said that it has opened an investigation into the killing of 26 members of the Al Samouni family on January 5, 2009, in the Zeitoun neighborhood in south-east Gaza. The dead included seven women and ten children. The Red Cross and the Palestinian Red Crescent Society also say they were prevented from visiting the wounded and dying for three days after the attack.
