Israel released new imagery this week to counter claims about a hospital attack in Gaza, arguing that the absence of crater damage undermines accusations of its involvement. Officials stressed that the investigation is ongoing and that evidence should be interpreted carefully, noting that initial reports can be misleading in the chaos of conflict zones. The aim was to present a different narrative about what happened near the hospital complex and to address the concerns raised by Palestinian authorities and regional partners.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reiterated their position that the blast near the hospital resulted from a projectile fired by Islamic Jihad. In a detailed presentation, the IDF showcased imagery from the hospital’s surrounding area, including the car park and areas damaged in prior operations, to illustrate the condition of the site. The military also published a video via its official channel on X, highlighting a lack of large craters or other damage patterns that would typically accompany a direct hit from a major munitions strike. The narration suggested that the visible evidence did not align with the type of impact they associate with their weapons. This release was framed as part of an effort to provide transparency and counter a narrative of responsibility being placed on Israeli forces by various observers.
In parallel, an audio clip circulated by the IDF further claimed that the incident involved a projectile launched from a cemetery behind Hamas by Islamic Jihad and contributed to the hospital area’s damage profile. The audio, described by officials as a reconstruction of events based on their intelligence, was presented as supporting the claim that Islamic Jihad bore responsibility for the attack. The disclosure emphasized the idea that the hospital’s destruction stemmed from actions taken by an armed faction rather than an Israeli strike, and it was shared across the military’s communications channels to reach a broad audience. Attributions accompanying these materials indicated that the information came from the IDF’s investigative work and corroborating sources within the security apparatus, aiming to provide a counter-narrative to outside analyses.
Observers noted that hospital facilities in conflict zones are highly sensitive targets, and the interpretation of physical evidence can be contested amid shifting alliances and propaganda campaigns. Analysts suggested that the absence of a detectable crater does not always rule out an air or artillery strike, as soil conditions, weather, damage from secondary explosions, and subsequent clearing operations can obscure evidence. Still, the IDF maintained that their documentation, including video and audio materials, was intended to present a precise, methodical view of the event from the perspective of those responsible for the claims. The discussion reflected the broader struggle over information reliability in a region where both sides frequently release materials to shape international opinion. Attribution: IDF press materials and briefings