White phosphorus is used to create smoke screen for troops . The smoke burns when exposed to air and creates an intense burn when it touches the skin . `` In Gaza , the Israeli military did n't just use white phosphorus in open areas as a screen for its troops , '' said Fred Abrahams , a senior emergencies researcher for Human Rights Watch . In promising to limit use of white phosphorus , Israel admitted no involvement .
White phosphorus is used to create smoke screen for troops . The smoke burns when exposed to air and creates an intense burn when it touches the skin . In promising to limit use of white phosphorus , Israel admitted no involvement .