Israel has refuted responsibility for the explosion at a Gaza hospital, contending that it resulted from a rocket misfire by Palestinian Islamic Jihad militants. Read full article
However, Islamic Jihad has challenged this assertion and accused the Israeli Defense Forces of attempting to conceal their alleged crime against civilians.
The incident resulted in a substantial loss of life, with hundreds of people taking refuge at the hospital, leading to calls of a "horrific massacre" and a "crime of genocide" from Hamas.
The U.S. has been working to persuade Israel to allow the delivery of supplies to civilians and aid groups in Gaza, which has been under siege since the conflict initiated by Hamas.
This event occurred just before U.S. President Joe Biden's planned visit to the region, and Palestine's President Mahmoud Abbas reportedly canceled a meeting with Biden in protest over the airstrike.
An examination of IDF operational systems has determined that the Islamic Jihad terrorist organization is responsible for the unsuccessful rocket attack that struck the hospital.
The military issued a statement, explaining that a barrage of rockets was fired by terrorists in Gaza, passing very close to Ahli Hospital at the time of the incident.
An IDF spokesperson stated, "Intelligence from multiple sources in our possession indicates that Islamic Jihad is responsible for the failed rocket launch that hit the hospital in Gaza."
The Islamic Jihad is another Gaza-based terrorist group that has claimed to be aligned with Hamas in their fight against Israel. However, the group has denied involvement in this attack.
The Israeli army emphasized that hospitals are considered highly sensitive buildings and are not targeted by the IDF. They urged caution in reporting unverified claims from terrorist organizations.
World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus condemned the attack on al-Ahli Hospital in north Gaza, expressing concern over the reported casualties.
He called for the immediate protection of civilians and healthcare facilities and the reversal of evacuation orders.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted that it was Gaza-based terrorists, not the IDF, who attacked the hospital, emphasizing that those responsible for these acts of violence also harm their own people, including children.
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh blamed the United States for the hospital attack, alleging that Washington provided cover for Israel's aggression.
He called for Palestinians to confront the occupation and settlers and urged Arabs and Muslims worldwide to protest against Israel.
Mark Regev, a senior adviser to Prime Minister Netanyahu, stated that Israel did not deliberately target the hospital, suggesting it was a Hamas rocket that fell short.
Former Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal called for global protests in front of Israeli embassies.
In response to the incident, clashes between protesters and Palestinian security forces erupted in several West Bank cities ruled by Abbas' Palestinian Authority.
Protests have erupted in several cities, including Beirut and Amman, with hundreds of people expressing their anger.
In Beirut, a crowd gathered outside the Israeli embassy, while in Tunisia, hundreds gathered outside the French embassy, denouncing France and the United States as 'allies of Zionists.'
Hezbollah in Lebanon announced 'a day of unprecedented anger' against Israel and President Biden's visit to the country. They placed responsibility for the attack on the United States.
Rishi Sunak is considering a visit to Israel to offer support and discuss ways to prevent the conflict from escalating into a wider regional war.
The UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, has defended Israel's right to self-defense but has not prescribed how Israel should carry out its operations in Gaza, while emphasizing that they must not breach international law.
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly expressed the UK's commitment to protecting civilian lives and investigating the hospital explosion in Gaza.
Israel's plans for a ground invasion into Gaza remained uncertain, despite massed troops along the border.
The military spokesman, Lt Col Richard Hecht, stated that they are preparing for the next stages of war but did not specify what those stages would be. While many have speculated about a ground offensive, it remains uncertain.
In the midst of the conflict, hospitals in Gaza City, including al-Shifa Hospital, have been overwhelmed with casualties. They are facing severe shortages of equipment, medicine, and beds.
Al-Shifa Hospital's generator fuel supply is running out, and there are concerns that Gaza's medical sector may collapse soon.
The al-Ahli Hospital, which was attacked, was reportedly housing many displaced families, patients, children, and women.
Hamas has claimed that most of the casualties were from these groups and has called for international intervention to stop the ongoing violence.
Additionally, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has declared three days of mourning following the airstrike on the hospital.
He has also reportedly called off his participation in a scheduled meeting with Biden and other Middle East leaders, as confirmed by a senior Palestinian official.
Abbas was set to join Jordan's King Abdullah II and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi at the upcoming summit in Amman, Jordan, where they were to discuss the Israel-Hamas conflict with President Biden.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is reportedly withdrawing from the meeting with President Biden and other Middle East leaders to protest the alleged Israeli airstrike on the hospital in Gaza. In response, President Biden postponed his visit to Jordan after consulting with King Abdullah II, taking into account the days of mourning.
A Hamas official has suggested the release of all civilian hostages within an hour if Israel ceases its bombing of Gaza. Israel claims that at least 199 people were taken hostage by Hamas during a surprise attack last weekend.
President Biden had been preparing to travel to the region as part of international efforts to prevent the Israel-Hamas conflict from escalating into a broader regional war.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken initially expressed unequivocal support for Israel's campaign against Hamas but later emphasized the need for humanitarian aid during meetings with Arab leaders. U.S. officials recognized that Arab tolerance for Israel's military operations was diminishing, and outright condemnation of Israel by Arab leaders could benefit Hamas and encourage Iran. This led to discussions about an aid deal with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.