Israeli Military's Alleged Role in Deadly Rafah Fire: Investigations Suggest Contradictory Findings

Rafah, Gaza Strip Palestine, State of
ICC communications were reportedly tapped by Israeli intelligence for years to hinder potential war crimes investigations
Israeli military allegedly targeted two senior Hamas militants in Rafah, Gaza Strip on May 28, 2024
Israeli military maintains their munitions did not ignite the fire but investigations suggest otherwise
Subsequent events led to a deadly fire that claimed lives of dozens of civilians
Israeli Military's Alleged Role in Deadly Rafah Fire: Investigations Suggest Contradictory Findings

In the midst of escalating tensions between Israel and Hamas, conflicting reports have emerged regarding the cause of a devastating fire in Rafah, a city in the southern Gaza Strip. According to various sources, including The Times of Israel and Associated Press (AP), an Israeli military strike on May 28, 2024 targeted two senior Hamas militants using small munitions. However, subsequent events led to a deadly blaze that claimed the lives of dozens of civilians. While the Israeli military maintains that their munitions were not responsible for igniting the fire, investigations suggest otherwise.

The Times of Israel reported that Israeli intelligence had been tapping into International Criminal Court (ICC) communications for years to hinder its probe into potential war crimes committed by Israeli leaders. This extensive effort involved Mossad, Shin Bet, IDF Military Intelligence Directorate, and Unit 8200. The goal was to find out which specific cases could form part of a future ICC investigation and preemptively open Israeli probes into them.

Meanwhile, AP reported that the Israeli military found that the fire in Rafah was caused by a secondary explosion. Two 17-kilogram (37-pound) munitions were fired towards two senior Hamas militants, but they were too small to ignite a fire on their own. The military is investigating the possibility that weapons were stored in the area and may have contributed to the deadly blaze.

The international community has condemned Israel for its actions, with leaders such as British Foreign Secretary David Cameron demanding accountability and a halt to the fighting. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel called the civilian deaths a 'tragic accident.'

As tensions continue to rise, it is crucial to remain informed about this developing situation. Stay tuned for updates.


Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image

Confidence

81%

Doubts
  • It's uncertain if the Israeli military intentionally tapped into ICC communications or if it was an unintended consequence of their intelligence gathering efforts
  • The exact cause of the fire is still unclear despite conflicting reports

Sources

89%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Israeli army says it used small munitions in Rafah airstrike, and fire was caused by secondary blast

The Associated Press News Tuesday, 28 May 2024 10:18
  • Unique Points
    • Israeli military found that the fire in Rafah, Gaza Strip was caused by a secondary explosion.
    • Two 17-kilogram (37-pound) munitions were fired by the Israeli military towards two senior Hamas militants.
  • Accuracy
    • ]Israeli military found that the fire in Rafah, Gaza Strip was caused by a secondary explosion.[
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (85%)
    The article contains several instances of inflammatory rhetoric and appeals to authority. The author uses phrases such as 'widespread outrage', 'escalation of fighting', and 'full-fledged offensive' to elicit an emotional response from the reader. Additionally, the article quotes Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu referring to the incident as a 'tragic mishap' and states that some allies have warned against a full-fledged offensive in Rafah. These statements are appeals to authority as they come from external sources and do not provide any evidence or reasoning for why these events constitute a tragedy or an escalation.
    • The situation is worsening in Rafah.
    • Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it was the result of a ‘tragic mishap.’
    • Some allies have warned against a full-fledged offensive in Rafah.
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

71%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Israeli tanks reach central Rafah as strikes continue - witnesses

Entertainment Variety Tv Site: https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/tv-site/ Rushdi Abu Tuesday, 28 May 2024 16:06
  • Unique Points
    • Israeli forces have reached the center of Rafah and seized strategically important hills overlooking the Egyptian border
    • Israeli troops continue activities against ‘terror targets’ in Rafah despite international condemnation for civilian casualties
  • Accuracy
    • ]Israeli forces have reached the center of Rafah and seized strategically important hills overlooking the Egyptian border[
    • Israeli military found that the fire in Rafah was caused by a secondary explosion.
  • Deception (30%)
    The article contains selective reporting as it only reports details that support the author's position of Israeli forces taking control of Rafah. The article also uses emotional manipulation by describing the deaths of civilians in a tragic way to elicit sympathy from readers. Additionally, there is sensationalism through the use of phrases like 'intense bombardment' and 'heavily shelled city'.
    • At dawn, thousands of people were seen heading north from Tal al-Sultan...
    • On Sunday night, at least 45 people - more than half of them children, women and the elderly - were killed when an Israeli air strike triggered a huge fire in a camp for displaced people near a UN logistics base in the Tal al-Sultan area.
    • Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said a ‘tragic incident’ had occurred ‘despite our immense efforts to avoid harming non-combatants’.
    • Witnesses and local journalists told the BBC that tanks had seized control of al-Awda roundabout amid intense artillery fire.
    • Residents said tanks seized Zoroub Hill, about 2.5km north-west of al-Awda roundabout, after gun battles with Hamas-led fighters.
  • Fallacies (80%)
    The article contains several instances of inflammatory rhetoric and appeals to authority. The authors use phrases like 'intense bombardment', 'heavily bombed', 'catastrophic humanitarian consequences' and 'large-scale civilian casualties' to elicit an emotional response from the reader. They also quote Sam Rose of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees making a statement that is an appeal to authority, as he is presented as an expert on the situation in Gaza. However, no formal or informal fallacies were identified in the article.
    • ][International Court of Justice] orders Israel to 'immediately halt its military offensive' and any other action that may inflict on the Palestinian group in Gaza conditions of life that could bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part.[/](The International Court of Justice has ordered Israel to immediately halt its military offensive and any other actions that may inflict on the Palestinian group in Gaza conditions of life that could bring about its physical destruction.)
    • Sam Rose of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees told the BBC from western Rafah that 'it seems like we are plumbing new depths of horror, bloodshed and brutality with every single day.'
  • Bias (85%)
    The article contains multiple instances of political and religious bias. The author refers to the Israeli military's actions as targeting 'terror targets' and describes Hamas-led fighters, without providing direct quotes, as seizing control of a strategic location. Additionally, the author includes examples of civilian casualties caused by Israeli strikes but does not mention any civilian casualties caused by Hamas. This creates an imbalance in the reporting.
    • ]Israeli forces have reportedly reached the centre of the southern Gaza city of Rafah and seized a strategically important hill overlooking the nearby border with Egypt.
    • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
      None Found At Time Of Publication
    • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
      None Found At Time Of Publication

    76%

    The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
    (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

    A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

    Israeli military says its strike did not start ‘unintended’ Rafah blaze

    The Fixing Site: A Summary of the Article. Sarah Dadouch, Tuesday, 28 May 2024 12:13
    • Unique Points
      • Israeli military investigation suggests secondary explosion started fire that led to many deaths in Rafah
      • IDF took steps to avoid civilian casualties before strike
      • UNRWA reports nearly 1 million people have fled Rafah area in past three weeks, with number expected to rise
      • Israeli forces seized control of Rafah border crossing in early May, shutting off flow of aid and forcing hundreds of thousands to flee
    • Accuracy
      • At least 45 people, around half of them women and children, were killed in Sunday’s strike in Rafah.
    • Deception (30%)
      The article contains selective reporting and emotional manipulation. The Israeli military spokesperson's statements are presented as facts without disclosing that they are coming from a biased source. The article also implies that the Israeli military is responsible for the deaths caused by the secondary explosion, but it does not provide any evidence to support this claim.
      • An Israeli military investigation suggested that a secondary explosion started a blaze that led to many of the deaths, an official said Tuesday.
      • Our war is against Hamas not against the people of Gaza.
      • Despite the international outcry after Sunday’s operation in Rafah, an UNRWA official in the city’s Tal al-Sultan neighborhood said Israeli operations appeared to have expanded overnight into built-up areas in the west of the city.
    • Fallacies (85%)
      The article contains several instances of the authors using inflammatory rhetoric and making appeals to authority. The authors repeatedly describe the Israeli strike as a 'tragic accident' and 'unintended', implying that it was an error rather than an intentional act. This is an appeal to emotion and a way to elicit sympathy for the victims without providing evidence or context for their claims. Additionally, the authors quote Martin Griffiths, the United Nations undersecretary-general for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief coordinator, who calls the attack a 'tragic mistake' or 'abomination'. This is an appeal to authority as Griffiths is not providing any evidence or proof that the attack was intentional or a war crime. The authors also use inflammatory language when describing Israeli actions, such as calling them 'bombardments' and 'intensified bombardment', without providing any context or evidence for these claims.
      • The attack, which took place Sunday, targeted two senior Hamas militants and used ‘the smallest munition that our jets can use’, described as 37 pounds in weight. Our munition alone could not have ignited a fire of this size.
      • They have fired shells into areas way outside the evacuation zone.
      • Artillery shells were also fired at civil defense members, accompanied by the Palestinian Red Crescent, while trying to retrieve injured people near the Zoroub roundabout. More than 25 people were killed overnight and 43 injured – most of them children, women and the elderly.
      • Despite the international outcry after Sunday’s operation in Rafah, an UNRWA official in the city’s Tal al-Sultan neighborhood said Israeli operations appeared to have expanded overnight into built-up areas in the west of the city. They have fired shells into areas way outside the evacuation zone.
      • Israeli forces seized control of the Rafah border crossing in early May, shutting off the flow of aid through the crucial passage and forcing hundreds of thousands of civilians to flee.
      • Despite assurances given to the United States of an ‘operation of limited scope, scale and duration’, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said at the time. Despite these assurances, Israeli forces have expanded their ground incursion and intensified their bombardment of the area.
    • Bias (95%)
      The authors use the phrase 'unintended' to describe the fire that resulted from the Israeli military strike, which could be perceived as downplaying or minimizing the impact of their actions. They also report on international condemnation and criticism of Israel for its military operations in Rafah, but do not provide any counterargument or perspective from Israel.
      • An Israeli military investigation suggested that a secondary explosion started a blaze that led to many of the deaths, an official said Tuesday. ... Our munition alone could not have ignited a fire of this size...
        • Despite the international outcry after Sunday’s operation in Rafah, an UNRWA official in the city’s Tal al-Sultan neighborhood said Israeli operations appeared to have expanded overnight into built-up areas in the west of the city.
          • Despite the legal order, the bloodshed has continued.
            • Gaza’s civil defense crews were subjected to three attacks since midnight Tuesday while carrying out their job...
              • More than 25 people were killed overnight and 43 injured – most of them children, women and the elderly.
                • They have fired shells into areas way outside the evacuation zone...
                • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                  None Found At Time Of Publication
                • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                  None Found At Time Of Publication

                89%

                The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
                (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

                A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

                Israeli Troops Keep Up Assault on Rafah After Condemnation of Deadly Strike: Latest News

                The Name Of The NZ Prefix. I PWA NZI.P.Was Dropped. Cassandra Vinograd, Tuesday, 28 May 2024 09:44
                • Unique Points
                  • Israeli military is engaging in 'close-quarters combat' in Rafah area
                  • International outrage over Israeli airstrike on Rafah camp that killed dozens
                  • Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the civilian deaths a 'tragic accident'
                • Accuracy
                  • At least 45 people, around half of them women and children, were killed in Sunday’s strike in Rafah.
                • Deception (100%)
                  None Found At Time Of Publication
                • Fallacies (85%)
                  The authors use inflammatory rhetoric by describing the Israeli military's actions as an 'assault' and 'pressing on with their ground assault.' They also quote David Cameron using the term 'deeply distressing' to describe the scenes from Rafah. These words are intended to evoke strong emotions in readers, which can cloud their judgment and bias their perception of the situation.
                  • ]The Israeli military said it was engaging in 'close-quarters combat.'[
                  • Britain's foreign secretary, David Cameron, on Tuesday cited the 'deeply distressing' scenes from Rafah over the weekend...]
                • Bias (100%)
                  None Found At Time Of Publication
                • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                  None Found At Time Of Publication
                • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                  None Found At Time Of Publication

                96%

                The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
                (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

                A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

                In initial finding, IDF says Rafah blaze likely sparked by secondary explosion after strike

                The Times of Israel Tuesday, 28 May 2024 16:10
                • Unique Points
                  • Israeli intel is accused of tapping ICC’s communications for years to hinder its probe
                  • Former Mossad chief Yossi Cohen allegedly engaged in ‘threats and intimidation’ against former ICC chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda
                  • Israel led an almost decade-long ‘war’ against the ICC’s intention to issue arrest warrants against its leaders
                  • Intelligence efforts included Mossad, Shin Bet, IDF Military Intelligence Directorate and Unit 8200
                  • Missions aimed to find out which specific cases could form part of a future ICC investigation and preemptively open Israeli probes into them
                • Accuracy
                  No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
                • Deception (100%)
                  None Found At Time Of Publication
                • Fallacies (85%)
                  The article contains an inflammatory depiction of Israeli actions against the International Criminal Court (ICC). It also presents allegations without providing any counter-arguments or statements from the accused party. However, no formal fallacies were identified.
                  • ]The Times of Israel is liveblogging Tuesday’s events as they happen. Israeli intel said to have tapped ICC’s communications for years to hinder its probe
                  • Israel has allegedly led an almost decade-long “war” against the International Criminal Court’s intention to issue arrest warrants against its leaders
                  • The British outlet — in cooperation with Israeli-Palestinian publication +972 Magazine and Hebrew-language outlet Local Call — published some of the alleged details in a separate story early today, asserting that former Mossad chief Yossi Cohen had engaged in “threats and intimidation” in an attempt to stop former ICC chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda from opening a war crimes investigation into Israel.
                • Bias (100%)
                  None Found At Time Of Publication
                • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                  None Found At Time Of Publication
                • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
                  None Found At Time Of Publication