An Israeli airstrike targeted a densely populated hospital compound in central Gaza, resulting in estimated 500 casualties. This tragic incident, if verified, would mark one of the deadliest Israeli airstrikes since 2008, with victims including both patients and Palestinians seeking refuge inside the hospital.
The assault on the al-Ahli Arab Hospital drew swift international condemnation, as distressing images of blazing rooms and overloaded stretchers inundated news outlets and social media platforms. Israel's military has refuted any involvement in the strike, instead attributing it to the Islamic Jihad group.
“An analysis of IDF operational systems indicates that a barrage of rockets was fired by terrorists in Gaza, passing in close proximity to the al Ahli hospital in Gaza at the time it was hit,” a spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces said in a statement.
“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.”This latest update comes in on Tuesday as US President Joe Biden arrives in Israel the next day. UK Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak might also visit Israel this week itself.