Reports: White House Knew Rafah Explosion Was From Israeli Bulldozer Hitting UXO, Not Hamas
Washington (QNN)- The White House and Pentagon reportedly knew that the Rafah explosion was caused by a settler Israeli bulldozer running over unexploded ordnance (UXO), contradicting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s claim that Hamas fighters had emerged from tunnels.
According to journalist Ryan Grim from Drop Site, US officials were briefed soon after the blast that the incident resulted from an Israeli settler-operated bulldozer triggering a UXO, not a Hamas operation. Despite this, Netanyahu publicly accused Hamas and announced that he would block all aid from entering Gaza in response.
According to sources cited by Grim, after the US administration confronted Israel with its findings, Netanyahu reversed course, saying crossings would reopen within hours. The Pentagon reportedly came to the same conclusion as the White House.
Journalist Curt Mills from The American Conservative quoted a senior US administration official confirming, “Hamas did nothing. An Israeli tank hit an unexploded IED that had probably been there for months.”
The revelation adds tension to an already fragile situation in Gaza. Following the explosion, Israel launched a wave of airstrikes across the Strip, killing at least 15 innocents, including a journalist, in an attempt to justify renewed escalation.
Observers say Israel has been trying to provoke another round of fighting despite the ceasefire signed in Sharm el-Sheikh earlier this month. Recent attacks, including strikes on civilian areas have raised concerns that Israel aims to derail the truce and maintain its military pressure on Gaza.
