`The rocket of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) encountered a problem after launch and fell on Al-Ahli hospital in Gaza City,` the Israeli Ministry of Defense said today, when posting a video comparing the hospital area.
The video includes photos taken from infrared sensors on an Israeli reconnaissance plane, combined with images recorded by witnesses on the ground when the explosion occurred.
Israel posted a video confirming it did not attack Gaza hospital
Video comparing the scene of Al-Ahli hospital and Israeli air strikes was released today.
Images showed a large blaze in the parking lot, but no crater on the ground.
The Israeli military said that the hospital building and surrounding structures were not structurally damaged and there were no deep holes at the scene, showing that this was not an air strike conducted by Tel Aviv.
`Investigation results confirm that the Israeli army’s fire was not aimed at the hospital. Indications at the scene show that most of the damage originated from the rocket’s propellant igniting after falling to the ground, not just from
Mr. Hagari added that about 450 rockets from Hamas and allied armed groups missed range after firing and fell on the Gaza Strip during the 11 days of conflict.
Images released by the IDF show punctured roofs of buildings around the scene, but no large holes in the ground after the explosion.
Images broadcast live on Al Jazeera television on the evening of October 17 also seemed to contribute to reinforcing the Israeli military’s statement.
About 10 minutes earlier, PIJ announced on social networks that the group had fired R160 rockets targeting Israeli territory.
Israeli officials also accused Hamas of exaggerating the number of casualties in the explosion to attract the attention of world public opinion, asserting that the organization could not quickly determine the number of deaths and injuries and announce the cause.
The moment the hospital in the Gaza Strip was attacked
The moment rockets were launched from the Gaza Strip and were intercepted and fell at Al-Ahli hospital on October 18.
Hamas and PIJ have not commented on the above information.
Al-Ahli is one of 20 hospitals located in areas where the Israeli military required all civilians to evacuate in preparation for the ground attack.
Richard Sewell, curator of St George’s University in Jerusalem, said about 1,000 refugees took refuge in the courtyard of Al-Ahli hospital before the explosion.
Location of Al-Ahli hospital in the Gaza Strip.
Hamas and the Israeli army are blaming each other for causing the tragedy.
The attack on Al-Ahli hospital was the incident that caused the largest casualties after the outbreak of the Hamas-Israel conflict.