Hundreds Perish in Gaza Hospital Explosion Amid Israel-Hamas Conflict

A devastating explosion at a Gaza City hospital on Tuesday has killed hundreds and inflamed the ongoing violent conflict between Israel and Hamas. Both sides traded accusations while global leaders reacted with horror and confusion.

The Deadly Blast

The massive blast at Al-Ahli Arab Hospital was the single deadliest event since fighting erupted on October 7. It threatens to escalate the war by provoking outrage across the Arab world. Protests erupted from Washington to Beirut as the shocking tragedy dominated international headlines.  

Israel Denies Involvement  

Israel’s military denied carrying out an attack on the hospital. A spokesperson insisted that Israel does not intentionally strike sensitive sites like hospitals. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) blamed the explosion on a misfired Hamas rocket, releasing a video purporting to show this. Prime Minister Netanyahu accused Hamas of murdering their own children at the hospital. In addition, you can also read an article on- Biden Visit to Israel Aims to Influence Gaza War Conduct Amid Mounting Crisis

Hamas Blames Israel 

Hamas and its militant ally Palestinian Islamic Jihad rejected Israel’s explanation as “false and baseless.” In a televised address, a Hamas leader called the hospital attack a brutal massacre by Israel. He urged Palestinians to confront the occupation and called for worldwide protests against Israel’s actions in Gaza.

U.S. Condemns The Blast

President Biden condemned the hospital explosion as outrageous and saddening. He promised tough questions for Netanyahu about civilian deaths. However, Biden also noted Hamas doesn’t represent all Palestinians and said the U.S. will continue supporting Israel. Some Democrats criticized Biden’s stance given the high civilian toll.

Israel Swiftly Denies Responsibility  

As the dust settled on the devastated hospital, Israel moved swiftly to deny any responsibility for the deadly explosion. An Israeli military spokesperson insisted that Israel does not intentionally target sensitive civilian sites like hospitals. 

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) immediately took to social media to blame the blast on a rocket misfire by Hamas. They released grainy video purportedly showing a Hamas rocket arc and crash into Al-Ahli, implying that Hamas bore responsibility for the deaths of their own people. Additionally, you can also read about- Israel Vs Palestine Conflict 2023, Latest Death Toll and Conflict Analysis

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed these claims in televised remarks, accusing Hamas of murdering children in a reckless accident. He proclaimed that “the entire world should know: it was barbaric terrorists in Gaza that attacked the hospital in Gaza, not the IDF.”

Palestinians Reject Israel’s Version of Events  

Palestinian officials and Hamas leaders vociferously rejected Israel’s version of events. A Hamas spokesperson slammed the IDF video as an obvious fabrication. He reiterated their stance that Israel deliberately bombed the hospital in a horrific massacre of civilians. 

The militant group Palestinian Islamic Jihad, an ally of Hamas, also denied any rocket misfire on their part. Other Palestinian leaders accused the Israelis of attempting to evade responsibility for war crimes by blaming Hamas. 

In an impassioned televised address, a senior Hamas leader described the hospital attack as a brutal embarrassment for Israel. He called upon Palestinians to rise up and confront the occupation. The Hamas leader also urged protests against Israel across the wider Arab and Muslim world. If you want you can also read- Over 100 Killed in Israeli Airstrikes on Southern Gaza Despite Evacuation Orders

International Leaders Grappling with the Fallout

In the hours after the deadly hospital blast, international leaders struggled to make sense of the confusing situation. With both sides making contradictory claims, global powers appealed for investigations to establish facts and accountability.

U.S. President Joe Biden issued a statement condemning the loss of innocent life. He promised to ask tough questions of Israeli leader Netanyahu when they meet this week. However, Biden also reiterated that the U.S. will keep supporting Israel’s right to self-defense against Hamas aggression.

Some Democrats criticized Biden’s stance, arguing his unwillingness to pressure Israel enabled the tragedy. Progressive representatives like Rashida Tlaib accused Biden of complicity through continued financial support of Israel despite the civilian toll.

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International Outcry  

The blast derailed a planned summit on the crisis. Leaders across the Middle East reacted with outrage. The U.N. and humanitarian groups strongly condemned targeting of the hospital. Protests against Israel broke out globally. However, some nations including Germany and Russia specifically blamed Hamas or Western support for Israel.