Gaza Hospital Tragedy Unfolds Amid Israel-Hamas War: The Hospital’s Patient Population Overwhelmed
The bombing at Al Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza occurred amid the Israel-Hamas war, Al Ahli Arab Hospital, established in 1882 and administered by the Anglican church, referred to itself as “a haven of peace in the middle of one of the world’s most troubled places” on its website. Just before US President Joe Biden visited Israel, In Gaza killed hundreds of Palestinians as the confrontation between the Israeli forces and the militant organization Hamas raged.
Who launched the Gaza hospital bombing?
Palestinians and Israelis have assigned blame for the hospital bombing. According to information he had seen, Biden, who has supported Israel wholeheartedly throughout the conflict, claimed that the hospital explosion appeared to be the consequence of an errant rocket fired by a “terrorist group,” repeating Israel’s position.
While Arab states have blamed Israel, some Western nations have called for an investigation without making any accusations as of yet.
What Information Do We Have About the Hospital?
Al Ahli Arab Hospital, established in 1882 and administered by the Anglican church, referred to itself as “a haven of peace in the middle of one of the world’s most troubled places” on its website. The hospital claims to have 80 beds and provides services like a free breast cancer detection program, a centre for older women, and a mobile clinic that provides free care to nearby villages.
It is situated in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, in the Zeitoun neighbourhood of Gaza City.
What took place before the strike?
Israel has previously advised Palestinians to leave Gaza’s northern region, including Gaza City, for their protection. In a message posted on the social networking platform X on Tuesday, the Israeli military urged Zeitoun inhabitants to leave.
On October 16, the Kuwaiti specialist hospital in Rafah City, south of Gaza, reported receiving two Israeli evacuation warnings, but its director declared the personnel would not comply.
What specifics are known about the strike?
When he heard a huge explosion, Dr. Naim stated he had just finished one surgery and was ready to begin another. According to Dr. Naqa, the explosion happened around 6:30 PM (15:30 GMT).
What Losses Were Made?
Approximately twenty wrecked automobiles could be seen on the hospital’s grounds in video and pictures that Reuters received from inside the building.
They were surrounded by wrecked structures with broken windows. Both the floor and the walls were stained with blood.
Which Palestinians Have Said?
Israeli leaders have taken responsibility. Palestinian militant organization Islamic Jihad, a Hamas affiliate, denied any of its missiles were used in the explosion and said it was not active in or near Gaza City at the time. Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas, blamed the United States, claiming that it had provided Israel “the cover for its aggression.”Israel was held accountable by the Palestinian Authority’s health minister for what he described as a massacre
How has Israel spoken?
Israel has denied any wrongdoing and claimed that Islamic Jihad’s unsuccessful missile launch was to blame for the explosion. A spokeswoman for the Israeli army claimed that an examination of the Israel Defense Forces’ operational systems revealed that a barrage of rockets fired by Gaza-based militants passed within striking distance of the hospital at the moment it was hit.
“Intelligence from multiple sources we have in our hands indicates that Islamic Jihad is responsible for the failed rocket launch which hit the hospital in Gaza.”
According to a military spokesperson, there was no structural damage to the hospital’s surrounding buildings, and there were no craters that would indicate an air hit. The spokesman added that Hamas had exaggerated the number of casualties and that the organization could not have known what caused the explosion as soon as it claimed to have.
A text and audio file purportedly recorded a conversation between two Hamas militants claiming an Islamic Jihad rocket misfired was also made public by the military. It was not feasible to independently verify the information. Bleeps were used in the audio editing process to hide words and names. Hamas refrained from commenting on the tape right away.
According to the IDF, during the previous 11 days, about 450 rockets fired from Gaza fell short and touched down in the Gaza Strip.
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And What Has The US Said?
Biden blamed Palestinian militants for the situation.
With Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in tow, Biden declared, “I was deeply saddened and outraged by the explosion of the hospital in Gaza yesterday, and based on what I’ve seen, it appears as though it was done by the other team, not you.”
What Is The Church of England Saying?
The leader of the Anglican church and Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, declared: “This is an awful and devastating loss of innocent lives.” The Anglican church is in charge of Ahli Hospital. Alongside our brothers and sisters, I grieve.”
“I make my plea once more for the protection of people throughout this terrible conflict. May mercy come from the Lord God.”
What Is The Response In The Area?
Arab governments and organisations in the area are incensed at the strike. Demonstrators in many Arab nations flocked to the streets to express their disapproval of what they claimed was an Israeli attack on the hospital.
Jordan cancelled a conference scheduled to take place in Amman on Wednesday to discuss Gaza with the president of the United States, as well as the leaders of Egypt and Palestine after King Abdullah of Jordan accused Israel of being behind the explosion. Egypt accused Israel as well.
Hezbollah, an Iranian-based organization that fought Israel in a war in 2006, condemned Israel’s “deadly attack” on Lebanon on Wednesday and called for protests. A national day of mourning was announced by the government of Beirut.
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What Was The Hospital’s Patient Population?
The hospital in Gaza, like with others, had a bed capacity that was exceeded by the number of victims since Israeli airstrikes began in response to the October 7 Hamas onslaught on Israel.
In addition to managing a spike in the number of injured, individuals have taken to hospital grounds around Gaza, thinking they would be safe havens from attacks.
About 1,000 patients were in Al Ahli Arab Hospital on Tuesday morning, according to Dr Fadel Naim, chief of orthopaedic surgery, and more came there later in the day after he said the Israeli army had urged Zeitoun neighbourhood residents to leave their houses.
When the strike started, more than 3,000 individuals, according to Dr. Ibrahim Al-Naqa, sought sanctuary at the hospital.
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