An anonymous Israeli military official has disclosed that the target of an airstrike on a five-story building in Beit Lahiya, Gaza, on Tuesday, was a spotter operating from the building with binoculars. The airstrike has sparked scrutiny as the IDF maintains its intent was not to demolish the structure but to neutralize the spotter. The building’s collapse, resulting from the impact of the airstrike, led to dozens of casualties, according to the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry. However, Israeli officials caution against relying solely on casualty numbers provided by Gaza authorities, noting major discrepancies between Gaza’s reported tolls and Israeli intelligence assessments. According to the military official, the casualties included known terror operatives, although no further evidence was provided to substantiate these claims. The IDF asserts that while their operations focus on military targets and individuals affiliated with terror networks, Hamas’s tactics of embedding operations within civilian-populated areas pose significant challenges to mitigating civilian harm. Military officials note that Hamas’s alleged use of human shields complicates targeting, but acknowledge that, despite extensive precautions, errors have led to civilian casualties. The IDF has launched an investigation into the strike, reiterating skepticism about casualty numbers presented by Gaza’s health ministry, which also does not distinguish between civilian and combatant casualties. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)