The soldiers detected a camera placed in the hospital by Hamas and destroyed it, recognizing that the device followed the movements of Israeli troops and facilitated the attacks imposed in them – the army announced on Tuesday.
Hospital Nasser in Chan Junus was attacked with two tank missiles aimed at the camera – the Israeli media reported on Monday, citing military sources.
Recordings from the scene show that the second missile hit the building a few minutes after the first, when rescuers and journalists came to the place.
The tragic balance of the victims of Israel's attack
At least 20 people were killed in the attack, including rescuers and five journalists working, among others for Al-Jazira television, Reuters and AP agency or NBC station- They transferred the local authorities controlled by Hamas.
The Israeli army added that six victims of the attack were identified as Hamas fighters. According to the media referring to the military, none of the killed journalists were included in the group of Hamasists.
The announcement indicated that the Chief of the General Staff of the Israeli Army, General Ejal, recommended to conduct a further thorough investigation in the case, especially in terms of the process of approving the order of the attack and the ammunition used in it.
Binjamin Netanyahu speaks of a “tragic accident”
A hit near the hospital requires the consent of the commander as at least a brigade general; It seems that she lacked in this case – wrote the daily “Haarec”. The YNET portal added that instead of directed missiles, normal ammunition was used.
Prime Minister Binjamin Netanyahu said on Monday that the attack was a “tragic accident”. General Zamir said that the army regrets “harm done to uninvolved people” and his goal was not journalists. Army spokesman General Efi Defin added that Israel “does not intentionally attack civilians” and makes every effort to protect them.
The attack was condemned, among others representatives of the UN, the EU, the rule of France or Great Britain and international associations of journalists. According to the organization, the Journalists' Defense Committee (CPJ) during the war in the Gaza Strip, 192 journalists and media employees were killed, which were mostly Palestinians.
