Israeli army clarifies reasons for attack on media offices in Gaza

Israel’s military on Tuesday elaborated on the reasons for the destruction of the high-rise building, housing media offices in the Gaza Strip several weeks ago.

The reasons came up after series of criticism on the controversial airstrike on the building.

An army statement reported that the Islamist Hamas movement had been working there on technology to disrupt the deployment of Israel’s “Iron Dome” missile defence system.

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The report added that special equipment for this purpose was stored in the building.

According to the statement, the equipment would be destroyed by the collapse of the high-rise building.

Israel’s air force attacked the high-rise building in Gaza in mid-May in the course of the latest armed conflict with Palestinian militants.

Among others, offices of the U.S. news agency Associated Press (AP) and the Qatari TV station Al Jazeera were destroyed.

The residents had been warned by Israel in advance of the attack.

AP reacted with horror, and journalists’ associations raised serious concerns.

The Israeli army initially justified the attack less explicitly by saying Hamas’ military intelligence service also used the building.

Israeli army clarifies reasons for attack on media offices in Gaza