On May 13, the Israeli journalist Edy Cohen shared a photo on his Twitter account depicting a Palestinian house being struck by a rocket during the recent Israeli aggression in the Gaza Strip. Along with the image, he added the caption, "Whether you believe it or not, this is a Palestinian rocket that caused the death of a Palestinian family."
Israeli Intelligence Warns Palestinian Family in Gaza
Following the publication of Cohen's claim, a correspondent from Misbar conducted an investigation into the house displayed in the photo, which had been hit by the rocket. It was discovered that the house belonged to the Taha family in Beit Lahia, Gaza Strip.
In a statement to Misbar, Ahmed Shhada Taha, the homeowner, confirmed that Israeli intelligence contacted him on his personal phone from an unidentified number and asked him to evacuate the house in preparation for its bombardment.
Taha said, "Israeli intelligence called me and asked me to evacuate the house. However, they later called again and said they would not strike it that night and asked me to keep my phone available for their call."
He further added, "On the second day, the intelligence officer contacted me once more, urging me to leave the house and notify the neighbors to evacuate their homes as well, and that's exactly what I did."
Taha clarified that the intelligence officer informed him that the house would be targeted with a warning missile launched from reconnaissance aircraft, and indeed, this occurred before the house was subsequently bombed by warplanes.
Misbar also obtained a video clip featuring Taha conversing with the Israeli intelligence officer prior to the missile strike by Israeli warplanes. The video clip highlights the use of Arabic by the Israeli intelligence officer, who stated, "The strike will happen now."
Photographers Feature Israel's Bombardment of the Taha Family's House
Misbar also obtained testimony from photojournalist Mohamed El-Masri, who featured the moment of the rocket's impact in the picture published by Cohen on his Twitter account.
El-Masri told Misbar, "I was present when the Israeli intelligence officer called and asked Ahmed Taha to evacuate the house in preparation for its bombardment." He explained that it was an Israeli warplane that launched the rocket at the Taha family's house, causing significant destruction.
Misbar also obtained a photograph taken by photographer Bashar Talib, capturing the moment of the Israeli warplane targeting the Taha family's house with missiles.
Talib told Misbar, "This house was targeted by two missiles from reconnaissance aircraft and then two missiles from an F-16 aircraft." Talib confirmed that he was present at the location when the Israeli intelligence officer spoke to the homeowner over the phone.
Talib sent his photographs toMisbar, which documented the moment the Israeli warplane targeted the Taha family's house with missiles.
What Is Roof Knocking or Warning Shots?
"Roof Knocking-Warning Rocket" is a missile launched by the Israeli occupying army's aircraft targeting Palestinian homes in preparation for their complete destruction. Warning rockets are launched by Israeli reconnaissance aircraft or warplanes.
The occupation claims that through these rockets, they warn residents to evacuate the targeted area, in an attempt to legitimize the bombing operation. However, these guidance rockets cause significant destruction and serious damage to civilian properties. Therefore, they are part of the arsenal of war and not merely warning rockets, as claimed by the Israeli occupation.
GBU-31 Rocket
The missile that struck the Taha family's house is of the "GBU-31" model. The front and rear components of the missile indicate that it is consistent with the "GBU-31" missiles that were launched at the Taha family's house.
The "GBU-31" bombs, also referred to as Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM), are specifically designed to penetrate heavily fortified military targets.
Photo Description: Photo shows "GBU-31" rocket.
Israeli Bombardment Devastates the Taha Family's House in Gaza
Misbar's inspection of the Taha family's house after the bombardment revealed significant destruction and a deep crater in the middle of the house. Fortunately, no casualties or injuries were reported as a result of the Israeli airstrike on the Taha family's home.
The Recent Israeli Aggression on the Gaza Strip
Since the early hours of Tuesday, May 9, the Gaza Strip has witnessed a new escalation following the assassination of three leaders of the Al-Quds Brigades, the military wing of the Islamic Jihad movement. The targeted individuals were Jihad Ghanim, Tareq Azzadin, and Khalil al-Bahatini.
After the escalation subsided, the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza documented the martyrdom of 33 Palestinians and the injury of 147 others as a result of the Israeli aggression.
Misbar’s Sources:
The Taha Family
Photojournalist Mohamed El-Masri
Photojournalist Bashar Talib
