In a devastating turn of events, a powerful explosion rocked the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital in the besieged Gaza Strip, claiming the lives of at least 500 people, according to Palestinian officials. The incident, which occurred on October 18, has emerged as the deadliest single incident in the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, leaving hundreds more trapped beneath the rubble.
The health ministry in Gaza quickly attributed the horrific explosion to an Israeli air raid. However, Israel countered this claim, stating that the blast was the result of a misfired rocket launched by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) armed group. The PIJ has vehemently denied any involvement in the tragedy, further deepening the uncertainty surrounding its cause.
Located in central Gaza, the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital, managed by the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, found itself in the line of fire while it was overwhelmed with thousands of Palestinians seeking refuge from a relentless barrage of Israeli air attacks across the besieged Gaza Strip.
Hamas, the Palestinian organization in control of Gaza, expressed that the majority of casualties were displaced individuals, compounding the humanitarian catastrophe in the region. Palestinian Authority’s health minister, Mai Alkaila, minced no words in accusing Israel of carrying out “a massacre.”
World leaders have swiftly condemned the bombing, with leaders from the Middle East issuing strongly worded statements. Jordan, in response to the tragic event, canceled a planned summit in Amman, which was supposed to include United States President Joe Biden and Arab leaders. Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi conveyed that the summit should be held at a time when all parties involved can focus on ending the ongoing conflict and the suffering endured by the Palestinian people.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, another attendee of the canceled summit, denounced Israel’s actions “in the strongest possible terms.” Saudi Arabia also issued a firm statement, condemning the “heinous crime” committed by the Israeli forces in bombing the Al Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza.
However, Western leaders refrained from directly blaming Israel for the incident. French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his grief in a social media post, emphasizing that “nothing can justify a strike against a hospital” and called for a thorough investigation to uncover the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
United States President Joe Biden offered his condolences for the loss of innocent lives in the Gaza hospital explosion while avoiding direct accusations.
