Israel-Hamas war: At least 500 killed after deadly explosion at Gaza hospital, Israel denies role

The Gaza health ministry has claimed that at least 500 Palestinians were killed after Israeli airstrikes attacked a hospital in the city.

On Tuesday (Oct 17), the Gaza health ministry claimed that Israeli warplanes bombed the Ahli Baptist Hospital which was treating hundreds of wounded and sheltering other Palestinians, AP news agency reported.The hospital is run by the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem.

"Hundreds of victims are still under the rubble," a statement said, calling it a "war crime".

The Israeli military said that it was looking into the claims. "We will look into it... the strike happened just a short while ago," Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari told a televised press briefing.

Later, the IsraelDefense Forces (IDF)clarified that arocket barrage was fired at Israelfrom the vicinity of the hospitalat the time it was hit. "According to intelligence information, the Islamic Jihad sent the failed rocket such that it hit their own hospital," the IDF spokesperson said.

Earlier, Israel-based i24News outlet also claimed that an initial investigation done by the Israeli Defense Force found that the explosion at thehospital in Gaza was caused by a failed Hamas rocket launch. However, an official confirmation is awaited.

The incident occurred hours after the United Nations agency supporting Palestinian refugees claimed that six people were killed when one of its schools sheltering displaced families was hit during Israeli air strikes.

UNRWA commissioner-general Philippe Lazzarini called the bombing at Al-Maghazi refugee camp, also in central Gaza, "outrageous" and warned the death count would likely rise.

"It again shows a flagrant disregard for the lives of civilians. No place is safe in Gaza anymore, not even UNRWA facilities," he added.

Palestine president declares three-day mourning

Describing the attackas a "hospital massacre",Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas declared three days of mourning and said that flags would be flown at half-mast for "the martyrs of the Baptist hospital massacre and all our people's martyrs", the official Palestinian news agencyWafasaid.

The attacks come on the eve of US President Joe Biden's visit to Israel on Tuesday (Oct 17) evening where he is expected to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for talks amidst escalating conflict with Hamas.

Egypt blames Israel

Egypt’s foreign ministry strongly condemnedthe incident saying that it considers this “deliberate bombing of civilians to be a serious violation of international, humanitarian law and of the most basic values of humanity.”

Cairo further held Israel responsible for the bombing of the Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza City that killed at least 500 people.

“Egypt called on Israel to immediately stop its policies of collective punishment against the people in the Gaza Strip,” the Egyptian foreign ministry statement adds.

Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

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