Israel-Hamas war: At least 500 people killed in hospital bombing in Gaza, Palestinian officials claim
The Israel Defence Forces says it is investigating the attack on the Anglican-run Ahli Arab Hospital, in northern Gaza. Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby called for hospitals to be protected after it was hit by Israeli fire on Saturday, because patients couldn’t “be safely evacuated”.
Reemul Balla
News reporter @Reemul_B
Wednesday 18 October 2023 11:44, UK
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At least 500 people killed in hospital bombing in Gaza, Palestinian officials claim1:00
Play Video – Moments after Gaza hospital explosion
Moments after Gaza hospital bombed
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At least 500 people have been killed in a bombing of a hospital in Gaza City, the Palestinian Health Ministry has claimed.
Palestinian officials have pointed the finger at Israel for the attack, but Jerusalem says the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) group was responsible for the blast on the al Ahli al Arabi hospital – an accusation the Islamist militant group denies.
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said the explosion was caused by a misfired Palestinian rocket that was aimed at Israel.
Follow live: ‘Dangerous moment’ for Middle East as protests erupt
An IDF statement said: “Following an additional review and cross-examination of the operational and intelligence systems, it is clear that the IDF did not strike the hospital in Gaza.
“The hospital was hit as a result of a failed rocket launched by the Islamic Jihad terrorist organisation.
“The terrorist organisations within the Gaza Strip fire indiscriminately toward Israel.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said “barbaric terrorists” in Gaza bombed the hospital, reiterating Israel’s military was not responsible.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas declared three days of mourning following the explosion and cancelled a planned meeting with US President Joe Biden.
During a meeting in Tel Aviv, Mr Biden told Mr Netanyahu that the blast at the hospital appeared to have been caused “by the other team”.
Some 350 casualties were rushed from the blast site to Gaza City’s main hospital, al Shifa, already overwhelmed with those injured from other strikes, said its director, Mohammed Abu Selmia.
Explosion seen at the Arab Baptist Hospital in Gaza City. Pic: X
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The blast at the Ahli Arab Hospital. Pic: X
Explosion seen at the Arab Baptist Hospital in Gaza City. Pic: X
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Pic: X
The number of people killed in the strike on the al-Ahli Arab Baptist Hospital has risen to at least 500, according to the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza. Sky's Middle East correspondent Alistair Bunkall says Israel's military is looking into what happened at the hospital.0:59
Play Video – Injured gather in hospital after blast
Injured gather in hospital after bombing
Hamas released a statement calling it a “crime of genocide” as it blamed it on Israel.
The militant group said: “The horrific massacre carried out by the Zionist occupation in the Gaza City’s al Ahli hospital which left hundreds of casualties, most of them displaced families, patients, children and women, is a crime of genocide that once again reveals the ugly face of this criminal enemy and its fascist and terrorist government.
“This also exposes the American and western support for this criminal occupation.”
It called for “immediate” intervention by the “international community and the Arab and Islamic countries”.
Al Ahli al Arabi Hospital – Gaza City
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Al Ahli al Arabi hospital in Gaza City
Reaction from around the world was swift, with Turkey, Iran, Jordan, Qatar and the World Health Organisation condemning what they called an attack.
Protesters gathered in Ramallah and Hebron and former Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal called on supporters to demonstrate outside Israeli embassies.
Footage showed demonstrators throwing projectiles at Palestinian security forces and smashing a sign saying “We Ramallah”.
Should the Palestinian claims be confirmed, the attack would be the deadliest Israeli air strike in the five wars fought since 2008.
Protests pelt an oncoming police car with projectiles as it narrowly avoids hitting them. Protesters had been gathering on the roundabout in Ramallah in large numbers until they were dispersed. The protesters later returned and destroyed a sign.
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Protests in Ramallah
Dozens of graves are built to cope with the latest deadly airstrikes by Israel on Gaza. The streets of Deir al-Balah are lined with rubble with many searching to find people who may have been killed.2:06
Play Video – Drone shots show graves in Gaza
Drone shots show graves in Gaza
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said the assault was “an appalling and devastating loss of innocent lives”.
He said: “The Ahli hospital is run by the Anglican church. I mourn with our brothers and sisters – please pray for them.”
The hospital, in northern Gaza, was previously hit by Israeli rocket fire on 14 October leaving four members of staff wounded, according to an earlier statement from the archbishop.
Justin Welby is critical of the government's illegal immigration bill
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‘I mourn with our brothers and sisters’ – Archbishop Welby
He had said patients who were critically ill and injured at the hospital, along with those at other healthcare facilities in the north of the strip, “cannot be safely evacuated”.
Mr Welby has renewed his appeal “for civilians to be protected in this devastating war”.
Treasury minister Andrew Griffith told Sky News the attack on the hospital was “devastating” as he reiterated the UK’s call for civilian life to be protected.
“The UK has always been very clear that the protection of civilians is the most important thing,” he said.
“It’s important at this point, everybody is responsible and we don’t rush to any judgements – but it’s also important international law is upheld.”
The hospital’s cancer centre was among the parts of the hospital badly damaged in Saturday’s strike, according to the American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, which also helps raise funds for the hospital.
Earlier, the UN agency for Palestine (UNWRA) reported at least six people were killed after one of its schools in the al-Maghazi refugee camp, in the centre of Gaza, was shelled. The school served as a shelter for some 4,000 displaced citizens since the war broke out, the agency added.
Israel’s military said more civilian deaths in the territory were “inevitable”, claiming that Hamas fighters were using Palestinians as cover.
More than one million Palestinians were warned to move south through Gaza at the weekend by the IDF, ahead of an expected ground invasion.
The war that began with a surprise attack on Israel by Hamas last weekend has left 3,000 Palestinians dead and at least 12,500 wounded, according to the Palestinian health ministry.
Hundreds more Gazans are believed to be buried under the rubble.
More than 1,400 Israelis are dead, according to Israeli figures – including 260 at a music festival.
At least 199 others, including children, were captured by the armed group and taken into Gaza, Israel said.
Families wait in agony after their loved ones are taken hostage by Hamas. Videos circulating online that show hostages being beaten while tied up give bitter-sweet proof of life for parents who still have hope they will be returned unharmed.3:55
Play Video – Son beaten and taken hostage by Hamas
Son beaten and taken hostage by Hamas
Meshaal demanded the release of 6,000 Palestinian men and women reportedly held in Israel’s jails in exchange for the captives in
