why white phosphorus is terrifyingly dangerous!!
and the use of it on civilians is illegal under international law
white phosphorus ignites in contact with air, and is capable of burning through anything that's combustible; cloth, fuel, and humans. it (and its smoke!!!) destroys human skin and can continue to burn down to the bone. what's worse is that it also can reignite during treatment of the wounds if any combustible is used, causing more harm.
furthermore, white phosphorus burns oxygen meaning victims inhale phosphorus instead of oxygen which burns them from the inside out. it also can cause heart, liver and kidney damage.
below is a medical illustration of the different degrees of burns. white phosphorus causes 4th and 5th degree burns.
white phosphorus bombs have been used by israeli military against palestinians in heavily populated areas as well as on the northern border with lebanon.
