Title: French Intelligence Agency Identifies Misfiring Palestinian Rocket as Likely Cause of Deadly Blast in Gaza Hospital
In a recent development, France’s military intelligence agency, the Directorate of Military Intelligence (DRM), has concluded that a misfiring Palestinian rocket was likely responsible for the deadly explosion at Al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza. The DRM’s assessment contradicts claims made by Palestinian officials, who blamed an Israeli airstrike for the incident.
According to the DRM, the explosive charge of about 5kg and the impact crater were consistent with the rockets used by Palestinians. A senior French military official, briefing multiple news agencies, stated that there was no evidence to suggest an Israeli missile strike.
Although the DRM did not provide an estimated death toll, they suggested that it was likely lower than the 471 fatalities reported by Palestinian officials. This conclusion was based on classified information, satellite imagery, intelligence from other countries, and open-source information, including images showing light structural damage at the hospital and few civilian belongings at the blast site.
Amid the conflicting accounts of who carried out the attack, French President Emmanuel Macron directed the DRM to share its findings. This move aims to shed light on the matter and provide clarity, considering the protests that have emerged throughout the Middle East in response to the incident.
The French intelligence assessment has added fuel to the ongoing dispute over the cause of the blast. Palestinian officials continue to blame an Israeli airstrike, while Israel claims that the explosion was caused by a rocket fired by the armed group Palestinian Islamic Jihad, which denies responsibility.
However, a recent investigation by Al Jazeera has cast doubts on Israeli claims. The investigation suggests that a flash captured in a live news broadcast was not caused by a misfiring rocket, raising questions about the true cause of the explosion.
Supporting the DRM’s findings, the US National Security Council has stated that their “current assessment” is that Israel is not responsible for the devastating blast. Nevertheless, the death toll remains a matter of contention. The Gaza health ministry reports a death toll of 471, while Israel argues that this number has been deliberately inflated. US intelligence agencies estimate the number of victims to be between 100 and 300 people.
Given the severity and impact of the incident, the United Nations has called for an independent investigation into the explosion. Emphasizing the need for accountability, the international community hopes to uncover the truth and determine who is responsible for this tragic loss of life.
As the world awaits further updates and investigations, the situation in Gaza remains tense, underscoring the need for an inclusive and comprehensive resolution to the ongoing conflict.
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