Depleted Uranium Part of Israel's Legacy to Gaza

Smoke rose from an explosion during an Israeli army land incursion into the Gaza Strip in January 2009 as seen from the Israel side of the border. Photo: Tara Trodas-Whitehill–AP.
No less than 75 tons of depleted uranium found in Gaza soil and subsoil after Israel attacks
May 24, 2009

GAZA -- "Citizens Action to Dismantle Nuclear Weapons Completely" has prepared a 33 page report showing the presence of tens of tons of depleted uranium in the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli attacks of late December and January are the culprit, reports the international organization.

“The quantity of depleted uranium may amount to no less than 75 tons found in the soil and subsoil in the Gaza Strip,” is the study’s quote.

As many have suggested, the Israeli military used or may have used depleted uranium in the ground and air assaults on the Strip during the operation in the period between 27 December 2008 and January 18, 2009.

The report indicated that Norwegian Dr. Mads Gilbert, during the first few days of participation in voluntary humanitarian work at Gaza City’s Al Shifa Hospital, condemned the presence of radioactive material that may have been depleted uranium in the bodies of the victims.

And now the accusation emerged more strongly after several months of investigations carried out in close association with the peoples concerned, and with the assistance of international expert on sustainable development and use of prohibited weapons Jean - Francois Feacheno.

The international mission itself was composed of four members, including expert Feacheno, adviser to the reduction of pollution, and experts accredited to the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP). They travelled to the Gaza Strip in April 2009 under the auspices of the Arab Committee for Human Rights.

The specialist laboratory used analysis of soil and dust samples from their mission to the Gaza Strip and found the elements of depleted uranium, a radioactive material, causing cancer and deformities.

The analysis also showed the presence of particles of the cesium, a radioactive and carcinogenic dust which includes asbestos, a carcinogenic, in addition to volatile organic compounds and fine particles that pose health risks, especially children's health, those living with asthma and the elderly.

Also found in the samples was phosphate resulting from the oxidation of white phosphorus and tungsten material carcinogens, in addition to copper and aluminum oxide, a carcinogenic and radioactive thorium oxide material.

Source / Palestine News Network

Thanks to Jeffrey Segal / The Rag Blog