Gaza City, October 18, 2023 – A devastating rocket strike on a hospital in Gaza late on Tuesday has ignited a wave of condemnation from world leaders and triggered protests across the Arab world and Muslim countries. The Hamas-led Gaza health ministry reports that hundreds of Palestinians have lost their lives in the tragic incident.
Here is a breakdown of the key developments:
The Tragedy Unfolds: Around 1700 GMT on Tuesday, Gaza’s health ministry declared that an Israeli airstrike had targeted the Ahli Arab Hospital, a Christian-run facility in central Gaza City. However, Israel vehemently denied responsibility, asserting that the explosion was caused by a misfired rocket launched by the Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad from within Gaza, near the hospital.
The Gaza health ministry reported a grim toll, with at least 471 fatalities and over 300 individuals wounded, some in critical condition. Images from the scene depicted dozens of bodies, while medics and civilians were seen recovering the deceased wrapped in white cloth, blankets, or black plastic bags. The hospital courtyard displayed bloodstains and torched cars. Notably, satellite images from the Maxar monitoring group suggested that the hospital’s structural integrity remained largely intact, despite a probable blast area in the parking lot.
Escalating Violence: Violence has surged since October 7 when Hamas militants crossed into southern Israel, resulting in more than 1,400 casualties, primarily civilians, according to Israeli authorities. The ongoing reprisals by Israel against Gaza have claimed at least 3,478 lives, encompassing the hospital strike.
Blame Game: Both sides have offered contrasting narratives. Hamas asserted that Israel is directly responsible for the tragic event and pointed to American weapons being used in the assault. In contrast, the Israeli army contended that a misfired Islamic Jihad rocket caused the explosion, presenting evidence to support their claim. Islamic Jihad dismissed Israel’s denial, suggesting it was an attempt to evade responsibility.
International Reaction: The world has responded with shock and anger. US President Joe Biden, during his visit to Israel, expressed his deep sadness and support for Israel’s account of the incident. However, governments across the Arab world and Muslim countries largely backed Hamas’s version, decrying Israeli strikes on civilian populations. Even countries with diplomatic ties to Israel, such as Jordan and the United Arab Emirates, blamed Israel for the strike. Widespread protests have erupted across the region, with thousands taking to the streets.
European governments have condemned the hospital explosion but refrained from apportioning blame. EU chief Ursula von der Leyen stated that there is “no excuse for hitting a hospital full of civilians,” while Russia labeled the strike a “crime” and an “act of dehumanization,” urging Israel to provide evidence of its non-involvement.
The tragic hospital strike has intensified tensions in the region and ignited international calls for an impartial investigation to ascertain the true cause of the incident.