ISRAEL/GAZA: A strike on a Gaza hospital claimed the lives of hundreds of Palestinians, further escalating tensions in the Middle East and adding pressure on U.S. President Joe Biden, who was scheduled to visit Israel on Wednesday to demonstrate support for its conflict against Hamas.
Palestinian authorities stated that an Israeli airstrike hit the hospital, and the Palestinian Authority’s health minister accused Israel of causing a “massacre.” Israel blamed the explosion at the Al-Ahli al-Arabi hospital on a botched rocket launch by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group, which refuted any involvement.
Ashraf Al-Qudra, a spokesperson for the Palestinian ministry, said that rescue efforts were ongoing to retrieve bodies from the rubble.
Footage shared by various media outlets shows the chaotic scene as rescue teams searched through debris stained with blood in their quest for survivors. In the footage, rescuers and civilians could be seen carrying away at least four victims in body bags. The head of Gaza’s civil defence reported a death toll of 300, while sources from the health ministry estimated it to be around 500.
Biden’s intricate diplomatic mission to the Middle East was initially intended to bring stability to the region and bolster humanitarian aid for Gaza. However, following the strike, Jordan decided to call off a scheduled summit with the U.S. president, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.
Additionally, Abbas cancelled his plans to meet Biden as Palestinian security forces shot tear gas and stun grenades to scatter anti-government demonstrators in the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah as anger boiled.
Demonstrations also erupted at Israel’s embassies in Turkey and Jordan, as well as near the U.S. embassy in Lebanon, where security forces used tear gas to disperse protesters.
Before the hospital strike, Gaza’s health authorities reported that at least 3,000 people had lost their lives during Israel’s 11-day bombardment that began after a surprise Hamas attack, which resulted in the capture of nearly 200 individuals in Gaza as hostages.
Humanitarian aid
On Wednesday, the Israeli military called on residents of Gaza City to move to the southern areas, informing them about a designated “humanitarian zone” situated in Al-Mawasi, approximately 28 kilometres (17 miles) down the Palestinian enclave’s coastline.
In a social media post, the military said, “The IDF calls on #GazaCity residents to evacuate south for their protection.”
Addressing reporters as Biden travelled to Tel Aviv, White House national security spokesperson John Kirby mentioned that Biden would be posing “challenging inquiries” to Israeli officials, although he didn’t elaborate on the specifics.
Biden is scheduled to hold meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli war cabinet to gain insights into Israel’s objectives and strategies, Kirby explained. Additionally, he intends to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance into Gaza, where millions of Palestinians are struggling to secure basic necessities such as food, fuel, and water, mainly due to Israel’s blockade.
“He’ll be asking some tough questions; he’ll be asking them as a friend, as a true friend of Israel, but he’ll be asking some questions of them,” said Kirby.
It was uncertain what Biden could accomplish during his visit. Kirby stated that the U.S. president intends to engage in discussions with Abbas and Sisi on his return to Washington.
Richard Gowan, the U.N. director at the International Crisis Group, noted, “This sort of murky but horrific event makes diplomacy harder and increases escalation risks.”
Biden has previously stated that the United States’ desire is to prevent the conflict from escalating into a broader war.
Iran, a supporter of Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and the Lebanon-based Islamist group Hezbollah, has warned Israel of increased hostilities if it does not cease its actions against Palestinians.
The U.S. State Department has issued advisories urging Americans not to travel to Lebanon following clashes between Israel and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.
Antonio Guterres,United Nations Secretary-General, said he was “horrified” at the hundreds of people killed in the hospital attack on Tuesday.
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