On October 17th, an incident occurred in Gaza that has sparked controversy. According to Gaza’s health ministry spokesman, an Israeli air strike at Al-Ahli al-Arabi Hospital resulted in a significant number of casualties. The death toll is reported to be the highest in a single incident during the ongoing violence in Gaza. The Palestinian Authority’s health minister, Mai Alkaila, described the event as a “massacre.”
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In contrast, Israel maintains that a Palestinian barrage led to the explosion at the hospital. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Gaza-based militants were responsible for the attack on the hospital.
The health ministry’s spokesperson, Ashraf Al-Qudra, stated that rescue efforts were underway to recover bodies from the wreckage. In the immediate aftermath, there were conflicting reports on the exact number of casualties, with initial estimates ranging from 300 to 500 individuals.
Israeli Military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari asserted that rockets fired by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad militant group passed near the hospital at the time of the strike, and that the strike itself hit the hospital’s parking area. Another spokesperson, Lieutenant-Colonel Jonathan Conricus, mentioned intercepting a conversation among militants where they acknowledged a misfire.
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Islamic Jihad denied involvement in the hospital blast, stating that it had no activity in or around Gaza City at that time. It’s important to note that Islamic Jihad, with ties to Iran, participated in the Hamas-led assault on Israel.
The incident drew condemnation from several countries, coinciding with U.S. President Joseph Biden’s planned visit to Israel. Russia and the United Arab Emirates called for a U.N. Security Council meeting, and clashes erupted in the West Bank.
Earlier on the same day, the United Nations reported that an Israeli strike had hit one of its schools housing thousands of people. The agency confirmed six casualties and numerous injuries, while Israel’s military stated that it was investigating the incident.
Israeli Military spokesperson Hagari raised doubts about the reported death toll from the hospital strike and indicated that there was no direct impact on the facility. He referenced drone footage that showed a strike in the parking lot, but suggested it was inconsistent with the reported event.
As of the latest update, at least 3,000 people in Gaza have lost their lives during Israel’s 11-day bombing campaign, following the initial attack by Hamas on October 7th.
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Displaced individuals seeking safety have sought refuge in hospitals, while Israel had previously instructed residents in the northern half of the Gaza Strip to relocate southward. Despite this, air strikes have affected various areas within the enclave, prompting some displaced individuals to return north.
The World Health Organization characterized the hospital attack as “unprecedented in its scale,” highlighting that a significant number of healthcare facilities in Gaza were non-operational.
Israel’s blockade of Gaza, intensified after the Hamas attack, has resulted in severe shortages of essential supplies, including power, water, food, fuel, and medicine.
Numerous countries, including Canada, Egypt, Turkey, Jordan, and Qatar, condemned the hospital strike. In the West Bank, clashes ensued between Palestinian protesters and security forces, with tear gas being used to disperse the crowds. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas cancelled a meeting with President Biden in response to the incident.
