VIENNA, Jan 20 (Reuters) - The UN's nuclear watchdog said on Tuesday it would look into a claim by Vienna-based Arab ambassadors that Israel may have used ammunition containing depleted uranium in Gaza attacks. The IAEA said the request was made in a letter addressed to Director General Mohammed ElBaradei and was delivered by the Saudi Arabia ambassador on Monday on behalf of Arab diplomats. "We are circulating the letter to member states and will investigate the matter to the extent of our ability," IAEA spokeswoman Melissa Fleming said. She said the IAEA had not yet decided on its course of action as it needs to check with member states first. The Israeli ambassador to the IAEA, Israel Michaeli, declined to comment on the letter. The IAEA has in the past contributed to studies on depleted uranium traces from ammunition in the Balkans which found it was highly unlikely that a reported increase in cancer risks there could be linked to the traces. Depleted uranium is used in weapons because it can more easily penetrate tanks and armour due to its density and other physical properties. It also has civilian uses in medical equipment and is used in radiation shields. (Reporting by Sylvia Westall; Editing by Ralph Boulton)
A local U.N. worker stands inside the United Nations compound that was struck by Israeli fire, during the visit of U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (not pictured) in Gaza City January 20, ...
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