In response to media reports accusing Israel of using biological and chemical weapons in Lebanon, Germany’s ARD TV took tissue samples from a group of “victims” for independent analysis. The results discredit Lebanon’s so-called “experts.”
Thumbs up to ARD for the outside verification. As the old journalism adage goes, “If your mother says she loves you, check it out.” Meanwhile, writing from Tyre for the NY Times Magazine, Scott Anderson notes how collusion between Lebanese medical personnel and Hezbollah affected war coverage:
In their “all front” war with Israel, Hezbollah had meticulously planned for the psychological dimension, and it appeared that a crucial component in this was to minimize the reporting of their battlefield casualties. On this front, they were able to rely on the support — or acquiescence — of the local medical establishment. While journalists were routinely allowed access to those hospital wards containing wounded women and children, other wards — presumably those housing adult males — were off-limits, blocked by orderlies or the requisite bearded young men. The same pattern extended to the dead: occasionally ghoulish public displays of the torn bodies of obvious civilians and a curious absence of those of fighting-age men.
UPDATE Oct. 22: Haaretz quotes Israeli sources indicating the IDF used phosphorous shells.
