Massive strike in Gaza: 500 Palestinians reported dead after hospital bombing
In a staggering incident, the Gaza health ministry states that Israeli airstrikes obliterated the Ahli Baptist Hospital, leading to a death toll crossing 500 Palestinians.
This shocking revelation came to light on Tuesday when the health ministry detailed the Israeli warplanes’ alleged attack on Ahli Baptist Hospital. As reported by AP news agency, the hospital, under the administration of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, was attending to numerous wounded individuals and also serving as a refuge for other Palestinians.
The aftermath of the attack was gruesomely detailed: “Hundreds of victims are still under the rubble,” screamed the official statement, branding this as a “war crime”.
Israeli Military Responds
The Israeli military is on high alert post these allegations. Daniel Hagari, Israeli military spokesman, while addressing a televised press conference, stated, “We will look into it… the strike happened just a short while ago.” Later revelations from the Israel’s Defense Forces (IDF) highlighted that a series of rockets was launched at Israel from near the hospital premises. “According to intelligence information, the Islamic Jihad sent the failed rocket such that it hits their own hospital,” added the IDF spokesperson.
Tension escalates further as an Israel-centric media outlet, i24News, revealed that preliminary investigations by the Israeli Defense Force insinuate that the Gaza hospital explosion might have been the aftermath of an unsuccessful Hamas rocket launch. Yet, the world awaits an official statement.
The Wider Picture: UN Facilities Under Threat
Only a few hours before this calamity, the United Nations agency supporting Palestinian refugees reported the demise of six individuals post an Israeli airstrike on one of its schools safeguarding uprooted families. The UNRWA commissioner-general, Philippe Lazzarini, fervently condemned the assault at Al-Maghazi refugee camp, situated in central Gaza, labeling it “outrageous”. His words echoed the sentiments of many: “No place is safe in Gaza anymore, not even UNRWA facilities.”
Palestinian Leadership Reacts
Branding these assaults as the “hospital massacre”, Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas proclaimed three days of mourning. As per the official Palestinian news agency Wafa, he stated that flags would wave at half-mast commemorating “the martyrs of the Baptist hospital massacre and all our people’s martyrs.”
With the backdrop of this catastrophic event, US President Joe Biden is scheduled to touchdown in Israel on Tuesday evening. Speculations are rife regarding his discussion topics with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu amidst the intensifying conflict with Hamas.
International Condemnation
The world is watching. Egypt’s foreign ministry vehemently rebuked the episode, deeming the deliberate bombing as a flagrant violation of fundamental human values and international, humanitarian law. Holding Israel accountable for the hospital assault, Egypt urged Israel to instantly desist its policies of collective retribution against Gaza Strip’s inhabitants.