Investigation Underway
The Israel Defence Forces have announced that an investigation is underway into the assault on the Ahli Arab Hospital, operated by Anglicans in northern Gaza. Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, urged the protection of hospitals struck by Israeli fire on Saturday, stating it was “impracticable to safely evacuate patients.”
Allegations and Denials
The Palestinian Ministry of Health reports at least 500 deaths from a Gaza City hospital bombardment.
Though Palestinian authorities hold Israel accountable for the attack, Jerusalem asserts that the al Ahli al Arabi hospital explosion was caused by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), an allegation that the Islamist militant organisation refutes.
International Outcry
The explosion, according to the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), was caused by a misfired Palestinian rocket aimed at Israel.
“After further review and cross-examination of the operational and intelligence systems. It is evident that the IDF did not attack the hospital in Gaza,” read an IDF statement.
“The hospital was struck by a failed rocket launch by the extremist Islamic Jihad organisation.”
“The terrorist organisations within the Gaza Strip fire indiscriminately towards Israel.”
Challenges for Hospitals
Benjamin Netanyahu said “barbaric terrorists” in Gaza assaulted the hospital and that the Israeli IDF is not to blame.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas cancelled a scheduled meeting with US President Joe Biden and proclaimed three days of mourning in the wake of the detonation.
Biden informed Netanyahu in Tel Aviv that the hospital explosion appeared to be caused “by the opposing team.”
Approximately 350 casualties were hurried from the explosion site to al Shifa, the primary hospital in Gaza City, which was already overrun with patients injured in other attacks, according to the hospital’s director, Mohammed Abu Selmia.
Hamas issued a statement attributing the incident to Israel and referring to it as a “genocidal crime.”
The militant organization issued the following statement: “The Zionist occupation’s heinous slaughter at the al Ahli hospital in Gaza City resulted in the deaths of hundreds of people, the majority of whom were displaced families, patients, children, and women. This atrocity once again exposes the vile nature of this criminal foe and its fascist and terrorist regime.”
“This also exposes the American and western support for this criminal occupation.”
It demanded that the “international community and Arab and Islamic countries” intervene “immediately.”
WHO, Turkey, Iran, Jordan, and Qatar denounced the “attack.”
Protesters filled Ramallah and Hebron, while former Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal urged his followers to rally outside Israeli embassies.
Demonstrator footage captured them hurling projectiles at Palestinian security forces and demolishing a “We Ramallah” sign.
If Palestinian claims are true, the Israeli airstrike would be the deadliest of Israel’s five confrontations since 2008.
Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, described the attack as “a heinous and catastrophic loss of innocent lives.”
He stated, “The Anglican church operates the Ahli hospital.” Please extend your prayers for our brothers and sisters as I, too, lament with them.
The archbishop earlier reported that Israeli missile strikes injured four staff members at the northern Gaza hospital on October 14.
The hospital and other medical facilities north of the strip “cannot be evacuated safely,” he said.
Mr. Welby has reiterated his call “for the protection of civilians during this catastrophic war.”
Treasury Minister Andrew Griffith called the hospital bombing “devastating” and reiterated the UK’s call for civilian life protection.
“The UK has always been very clear that the protection of civilians is the most important thing,” according to him.
“It’s important at this point, everybody is responsible, and we don’t rush to any judgments – but it’s also important international law is upheld.”
The hospital’s oncology centre was severely damaged during the strike on Saturday, according to the American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, an organization that also contributes to the hospital’s fundraising efforts.
The UN agency for Palestine (UNWRA) had previously reported that one of its schools in the al-Maghazi refugee camp, located in the heart of Gaza, had been bombarded, resulting in the deaths of at least six individuals. Since the outbreak of conflict, the school has housed approximately 4,000 displaced citizens, according to the agency.
The Israeli military said Hamas fighters were using Palestinians as cover, making civilian casualties “inevitable” throughout the region.
Over the weekend, the IDF warned over one million Palestinians to withdraw south via Gaza in anticipation of a land invasion.
As of last weekend, when Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, the conflict has resulted in the deaths of 3,000 Palestinians and the injury of at least 12,500, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health.
It is estimated that hundreds more Gazanians are entombed beneath the debris.
According to Israeli statistics, over 1,400 Israelis have perished, 260 of whom were killed at a music festival.
Israel reported that at least 199 others, including minors, were captured and taken into Gaza by the armed group.
Meshaal sought the release of 6,000 Palestinian men and women in Israeli prisons in return for Gaza prisoners.
Hamas political and international relations chief Dr. Basem Naim “was unaware” of the hostage count.
