IDF Presents Evidence of Gaza Hospital Blast Not Caused by Airstrike

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has asserted that the lack of structural damage and craters at the site of the Gaza hospital bombing indicates that the blast was not a result of an airstrike, according to IDF spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari. He highlighted the absence of craters and damage to nearby structures, concluding that the blast did not originate from an aerial munition and that no direct hit was made to the hospital.

The IDF released a video suggesting that a failed rocket launch by the Islamic Jihad terrorist organization was responsible for the explosion at the al-Ahli hospital in Gaza City. The trajectory analysis by the IDF revealed that rockets were fired from close proximity to the hospital, with most of the rocket propellant still visible due to the short trajectory.

Hagari claimed that Hamas exploited the incident for a media campaign and inflated casualty numbers, while the IDF conducted an immediate examination. Additionally, the IDF provided evidence of intercepted communications among terrorists discussing misfired rockets, including one mentioning the hospital. Hagari noted that rockets falling short and causing casualties were not uncommon during the conflict, with approximately 450 such incidents counted. The IDF also committed to sharing its evidence with other parties, including the United States, in the interest of transparency.