This Video Does Not Show a Woman Targeted by White Phosphorus in Gaza
The Claim
This is the Impact of White Phosphorus Bombs prohibited by International law! We know that white phosphorus bombs are very dangerous and they will damage all parts of the body!
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Emerging story
Amid the ongoing war in Gaza and widespread media coverage of casualties, numerous social media accounts circulated an image of a disfigured woman. The posts claimed that the disfigurement was the result of white phosphorus affecting a woman injured in Gaza.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar investigated the claim and found it to be misleading. The video features a woman from Morocco with Xeroderma pigmentosum. The source is an Instagram account that showcases cases of patients with this rare disease.
The Rare Illness of “Xeroderma Pigmentosum”
Xeroderma Pigmentosum is a rare inherited disorder that renders patients highly sensitive to ultraviolet radiation (UV). The sun-exposed areas of the body, including the tongue, lips, and eyes, are severely affected. Symptoms typically manifest before the age of 10.
The Moon Voice Association is a Moroccan international charity dedicated to helping Xeroderma Pigmentosum patients. The association shares various cases on its Instagram account to raise awareness and solicit support and donations. Numerous videos featuring the girl from the alleged video are posted on the association's Instagram page, detailing her case and the challenges she faces with the illness.
Israel Accused of Using White Phosphorus in Gaza and Lebanon
Various reports from Human Rights Watch, the Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor, and others have asserted that Israel used prohibited white phosphorus in its attacks on Gaza and Lebanon.
White phosphorus is a chemical substance that ignites instantly upon contact with oxygen. Exposure to phosphorus is highly harmful to humans, causing deep burns that may penetrate the bones. Its smoke affects the eyes and respiratory tract, and once ignited, white phosphorus is challenging to extinguish. Its only legitimate use during battles is for illuminating battlefields or generating a form of incendiary.
The use of white phosphorus against civilians is prohibited under international weapons law and may be considered a war crime. In October, Human Rights Watch reported the use of white phosphorus in Lebanon and Gaza, noting 'multiple airbursts of artillery-fired white phosphorus over the Gaza City port and two rural locations along the Israel-Lebanon border.' The Euro-Med Monitor reported another heavy white phosphorus attack on November 15, with approximately 300 strikes launched by the Israeli occupation forces targeting a crowded residential square in Beit Lahia in northern Gaza. Meanwhile, the Israeli occupation forces denied several allegations of their use of the prohibited substance.
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