Conflicts usually come with a package of weapons use. Some may be more, some may be less conventional. In the past few days from the last two months it has been brought into attention two types of weapons being used in the Israel- Gaza conflict : white phosphorus and DIME.

White phosphorus is a flare- and smoke-producing incendiary device or smoke-screening agent. The main utility of white phosphorus munitions is to create smokescreens for the purpose of hiding the movement from the enemy, or to mask his fire. The white phosphorus detonates immediately causing an instant bank of smoke.

Its secondary effect consists in fiercely burns and can set cloth, fuel, ammunition and other combustibles on fire; it can cause serious burns or death.

The use of white phosphorus is controversial today because of its potential use against civilians. While the Chemical Weapons Convention does not designate WP as a chemical weapon, various groups consider it to be one of such kind. In the recent years, the United States, Israel, and Russia have used white phosphorus in various fights and combats.

The United States have used white phosphorus in Iraq, but its use was officially denied until November 2005, when the Department of Defense admitted the use of white phosphorus. The reason given for this was to produce obscuring smoke.

White phosphorus was used for the first time by Fenian arsonists in the 19th century in the form of a solution. In late 1916 the British...