IDF spokesperson issued his statement regarding the failed rocket launch by the Islamic Jihad on the hospital in Gaza and revealed the documents and transcripts confirming the matter.
"After conducting a thorough and in-depth investigation within the IDF, we can confirm that the Islamic Jihad terrorist organization is responsible for the attack on the hospital in Gaza.
"We conducted an immediate investigation with all relevant parties in the IDF. Here is the sequence of events as they occurred yesterday, on Tuesday, October 17th:
- At 18:15, Hamas fired a barrage of rockets at Israel.
- At 18:59, a barrage of around ten rockets was launched by the Islamic Jihad from a cemetery in the area.
"At the same time, at 18:59, reports were received of an explosion at the hospital in Gaza City. According to our intelligence, Hamas checked the reports, understood that it was a failed rocket launch by the Islamic Jihad, and decided to launch a worldwide disinformation campaign to cover up the truth."
The spokesperson further adds that Hamas exploited the mistake for manipulation: "They even inflated the number of casualties. They clearly understood that it was a failed rocket launch by the Islamic Jihad that hit the hospital. Aerial photography analysis confirmed that there was no direct hit on the hospital, only in the adjacent parking lot. Signs of fire can be seen without craters or damage to the building infrastructure in the area.
"This contrasts with the damage that would have been caused if it were an aerial attack, as we would have seen craters and damage to the building infrastructure, two things that were not identified in this incident. The extent of the damage we see here is a result of the warhead of the Islamic Jihad's rocket. But you can see that most of the explosive material detonated upon impact due to the short flight of the rocket (due to the launch failure). The evidence before you shows an infrared image of the parking lot."
The transcript of the conversation about the failed launch carried out by the Islamic Jihad terrorist organization on the hospital:
"But I'm telling you, this is the first time we've seen such a missile and such shrapnel, so I'm telling you it's from the Islamic Jihad."
"what?"
"They say that it's of the Islamic Jihad."
"It is from us?"
"Probably from us, yes."
"Who says that?"
"They say it's shrapnel from a missile, local shrapnel, not like Israeli shrapnel."
"What do they say (there)?"
"God, from us, did not know how to explode except in the hospital!"
"(Name) There's a possibility that they launched it from behind the cemetery..."
"What?"
"It seems they launched it from the cemetery behind the hospital, and somehow it malfunctioned and fell on them."
"Is there a cemetery behind it?"
"Yes, it is located in the courtyard exactly!"
"Where exactly, as you enter the courtyard?"
"As you enter the courtyard, you don't continue to the city, but you see the hospital on the right."
"Oh, I know."
"Hamas spread lies, you should have understood right away"
IDF spokesperson adds, "You can see the main impact locations and minimal damage to the roofs. No craters can be identified. All the walls of the buildings around haven't collapsed. We have an example of what craters from an aerial attack to the ground look like. As you can see, they do not exist here."
The IDF clarifies why an immediate response was not provided: "Numerous media outlets immediately reported baseless allegations from the Hamas terrorist organization. These were lies that they spread. I want to make it clear: It's impossible to know so quickly what happened, as Hamas claimed they knew. It should have been a red flag for you. Unlike Hamas, the IDF initiated an immediate high-level investigation. The professional investigation examined the event through intelligence, operational systems, and a variety of aerial photos we captured. This evidence – which we share with you – confirms that the explosion at the hospital in Gaza was caused by the failed launch of Islamic Jihad."
IDF spokesperson highlights three key points of evidence: "I want to present before you the three central points that emerged from our investigation: The first point, we can confirm that there was no IDF attack – whether from the ground, sea, or air – that hit the hospital."
The second point, our radar system identified rockets fired by Gaza militants at the same time as the explosion. The trajectory of these rockets passed over the hospital. Additionally, there are two independent videos that documented one of the rockets falling and landing in Gaza, near the hospital.
The third point is that we have intelligence indicating a conversation between a former Hamas operative and a Gazan resident about the malfunction of the missile. They understood that it was a failed launch, and they specifically mentioned the hospital. We have corroborated this testimony with additional intelligence sources to confirm its accuracy. We estimate that since the beginning of the conflict, over 450 rockets have fallen in Gaza and affected its residents. Failed launches are a common occurrence, as we have also seen from previous incidents in Gaza. Unfortunately, Palestinian civilians bear the cost of these events.
"World media blamed Israel and did not publish the correction"
The IDF spokesperson stated that all the information has been shared with governments around the world and many media outlets globally reported the mistake but haven't corrected it. He emphasized, "It's important to stress that we share the information that was available to us with other governments, primarily the United States. We operate with maximum transparency due to the seriousness with which we treat incidents that harm uninvolved civilians. Unfortunately, many media outlets reported the statements coming from Gaza, which is controlled by Hamas, accusing Israel. Instead of waiting for a credible investigation by the IDF, a number of media outlets echoed the lies of Hamas, some of these headlines remain uncorrected."
In conclusion, the IDF spokesperson clarified, "I understand your desire to report breaking news, but I hope you all agree that accurate and reliable information comes before speed. The IDF operates in accordance with international law. In summary, this incident highlights how quickly baseless and false accusations against Israel, disseminated by terrorists, can undermine and escalate tensions in our region."
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