In a significant development, French military intelligence, known as the DRM, has cast doubt on initial claims that an Israeli missile strike was responsible for a deadly explosion at Gaza’s Al-Ahli al-Arabi Hospital. Instead, the DRM suggests that the explosion was likely the result of a misfired Palestinian rocket. This incident, which occurred on a fateful Tuesday, resulted in a significant loss of life and drew global attention.
The conflicting accounts surrounding the blast had initially created a cloud of uncertainty. Palestinian officials were quick to attribute the explosion to an Israeli airstrike, while Israeli authorities maintained that it was caused by a malfunctioning rocket launched by militants. Amid these contrasting narratives, the DRM’s involvement was sought to establish the truth.
The DRM’s analysis took into account several key factors that support the theory of a misfired Palestinian rocket. One of the crucial pieces of evidence was the size of the impact crater at the hospital site, which, upon careful examination, appeared too small to have been caused by an Israeli missile. Additionally, the nature of the damage observed at the scene, including some broken windows and a limited presence of civilian belongings, was consistent with the aftermath of a smaller explosion, rather than a high-impact missile strike.
Another vital aspect considered by the intelligence agency was the explosive charge. Based on their assessment, the DRM estimated it to be approximately 5 kilograms. This estimate aligns with the type of explosive charge typically found in small-caliber Palestinian rockets.
While the DRM could not definitively pinpoint the exact origin of the rocket, they ruled out alternative possibilities. This included the notion that fragments from Israel’s Iron Dome air defense system or intercepted missiles were responsible for the incident.
It’s noteworthy that an unclassified U.S. intelligence report had previously indicated that Israel was not responsible for the explosion. Furthermore, this report estimated a lower death toll, suggesting that the incident resulted in the tragic loss of between 100 to 300 lives.
The DRM’s decision to release these findings to the public was made under the instruction of President Emmanuel Macron, given the gravity of the situation and the conflicting narratives surrounding the incident.
As investigations continue, it is imperative to keep in mind that this tragic event has resulted in a significant loss of life and immense suffering. The focus should now shift towards providing support and assistance to the affected individuals and communities, as well as working diligently to prevent further violence and instability in the region.
Source: [Reuters]
