Israeli officials continued to deny that the army was using illegal weapons in its Gaza offensive despite accounts by soldiers that tanks with white phosphorus shells were deployed.

One soldier sent to Gaza recently said that he had handled phosphorus grenades and that tanks equipped with white phosphorus shells were in operation. “We’ve been using it responsibly . . . it’s been around the whole time,” he said.

The Times revealed last week that white phosphorus shells were among a stock of artillery rounds being held by the Israelis on the border with Gaza. Although the shells are the most effective way of creating a smokescreen to hide troops, human rights organisations have warned of risks to civilians and have called for the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate.

The ICC said last night that the use of white phosphorus could be covered under its statute, which bans the deployment of asphyxiating, poisonous or other gases, or the firing of weapons which could cause “superfluous injury or unnecessary suffering or which are inherently indiscriminate”, but that it lacked jurisdiction because Israel was not a signatory.

Yesterday Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish Prime Minister, who is usually an ally of Israel, added his voice to the protests. “There are people who say that the Prime Minister’s statements are too tough but my words are not tougher than phosphorus bombs,” Mr Erdogan said.

Gabi Ashkenazi, the Israel Defence Forces chief of staff, denied that Israel was using illegal weaponry. “The IDF acts only in accordance with what is permitted by international law and does not use white phosphorus.”

Times Recommends

• Rio Tinto four held as China prepares case
• Diplomats must keep heads down and trousers up
• When in Rome should one make like Berlusconi?