Footage widely shared on social media showed a massive blast at Israa University, prompting US President Joe Biden’s administration to ask Israel for clarification.

The IDF, in response to a query, said the demolition of Israa University on January 17 and the approval process of the controlled explosion was “thoroughly investigated” by the head of the Southern Command, Maj. Gen. Yaron Finkelman, and presented to Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi.

According to Army Radio, Hiram claimed that his troops felt in danger due to intelligence that Hamas had a network of tunnels under the university, and feared that its operatives could ambush them.

Unrelated controversy currently surrounds Hiram over his order to fire a tank shell at a home in the southern community of Be’eri amid a hostage situation during Hamas’s October 7 onslaught, possibly killing some of the captives.

Before the war, Hiram was tapped to be the next commander of the Gaza Division, a move that appears to currently be on hold amid the war and the controversy.