Israeli Strike Sparks Deadly Rafah Fire: Investigation Reveals Secondary Explosion

An initial investigation by the Israeli military into a deadly strike in Rafah, Gaza, revealed that the fire was caused by a secondary explosion. The targeted strike aimed at Hamas militants was insufficient to ignite the fire, suggesting that stored weapons or fuel likely contributed to the blaze.

The Israeli military says an initial investigation into a strike that sparked a deadly fire in the southern Gaza city of Rafah has found the blaze was caused by a secondary explosion.

Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, the chief military spokesman, said Tuesday that the military fired two 17-kg (37-pound) munitions that targeted two senior Hamas militants. He says the munitions would have been too small to ignite a fire on their own.

Hagari said the army is looking into the possibility that weapons were stored in the area.

Palestinian health officials say at least 45 people, around half of them women and children, were killed in Sunday's strike. The fire also could have ignited fuel, cooking gas canisters or other materials in the densely populated tent camp housing displaced people.

The strike caused widespread outrage, including from some of Israel's closest allies. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it was the result of a “tragic mishap”.