The Israeli government yesterday revealed it had reprimanded top military officers over an attack on the United Nations compound in Gaza which took place on 15 January 2009. The barrage of artillery shells containing white phosphorous gas — a substance Israel had contended for a year was not misused in Gaza — not only destroyed the UN compound, a crucial hub of aid for residents of Gaza, but also affected the population with unusually deadly burns and potentially serious long-effects on health.

“This is an explosion admission,” notes BBC news analyst Paul Wood. “This is the first time that Israel has acknowledged, at least in part, allegations that civilians were jeopardised by the misuse of artillery at the main UN warehouse in Gaza City.”

And, what? The officers will not lose their jobs. They won’t go before a court. Sure, this admission opens up the way for a special UN tribunal at the Hague, but the officers in question would be under no obligation to even attend such hearings. There would be no juries; only judges, lawyers, witnesses. And if the Yugoslavia and Rwanda tribunals are anything to go by, it would be years until any meaningful action takes place. So, essentially, some wrists have been slapped.