A substantial explosion at a hospital located in Gaza results in the tragic loss of hundreds of lives. Both Hamas and Israel engage in accusations and place responsibility for the incident on one another.
According to the health ministry, the death toll was at least 500 people. Video footage, verified by The Associated Press, showed the hospital building consumed by flames, with the hospital grounds scattered with the bodies of many young children and others. Nearby, on the grass, were blankets, school backpacks, and personal belongings.
The tragedy unfolded while the United States was attempting to persuade Israel to allow the delivery of essential supplies to the vulnerable civilian population, humanitarian organizations, and hospitals in the confined Gaza Strip. This region had been under a complete blockade since Hamas' deadly actions in southern Israel the previous week. It also transpired a day prior to President Joe Biden's planned visit to the area, aimed at demonstrating support for Israel and endeavoring to prevent the escalation of the conflict.
Over the past few days, hundreds of Palestinians had sought refuge in al-Ahli Hospital and other healthcare facilities in Gaza City, hoping to evade bombardment, following Israel's evacuation order for all residents of the city and its surrounding areas to relocate to the southern Gaza Strip.
Hamas referred to the hospital strike on Tuesday as a "horrific massacre," attributing it to an Israeli airstrike.
In contrast, the Israeli military asserted that Palestinian militants had launched a significant number of rockets near the hospital at the same time. They stated, "Intelligence from multiple sources we have in our hands indicates that Islamic Jihad is responsible for the failed rocket launch."
A fleet of ambulances and private vehicles swiftly transported approximately 350 injured individuals from the scene of the al-Ahli explosion to Gaza City's primary medical facility, al-Shifa Hospital. The hospital was already grappling with an influx of patients from previous attacks, as reported by its director, Mohammed Abu Selmia. The injured were placed on floors stained with blood, their cries of pain filling the air.
"We are cramming five beds into a single cramped room. We urgently require medical equipment, medications, additional beds, anesthesia supplies, and practically everything," Abu Selmia emphasized, while warning that the hospital's generators would run out of fuel by Wednesday. He added, "I believe Gaza's healthcare system is on the verge of collapse."
Prior to the tragic incident at al-Alhi Hospital, Israeli airstrikes in Gaza had claimed the lives of at least 2,778 people and left 9,700 others wounded, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. It was noted that nearly two-thirds of those who perished were children. Health authorities also estimated that around 1,200 people in Gaza might be buried under the debris, either alive or not.
Following Hamas' October 7 attack in southern Israel, which resulted in the death of over 1,400 people, predominantly civilians, and the capture of around 200 individuals into Gaza, Hamas militants in Gaza have been launching rockets daily, targeting various Israeli cities.
In response to the alleged airstrike, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas canceled his participation in a meeting with U.S. President Biden, Jordan's King Abdullah II, and Egypt's president scheduled for Wednesday in Amman, Jordan, where they had planned to discuss the ongoing conflict. The Palestinian Authority, under Abbas, governs parts of the West Bank.
Protests erupted in major West Bank cities, including Ramallah, the West Bank's administrative center, where demonstrators clashed with Palestinian security forces who responded with stun grenades. Similar protests occurred in Beirut and Amman, where an angry crowd gathered outside the Israeli Embassy.
Israel had amassed tens of thousands of troops along the border, prompting expectations of a ground invasion into Gaza. However, specific plans remained uncertain. According to military spokesman Lt. Col. Richard Hecht, "We are preparing for the next stages of war. We haven't disclosed what they will be. While a ground offensive is being discussed, it may take a different form."
Throughout Tuesday, a series of airstrikes resulted in the deaths of numerous civilians and at least one senior Hamas leader in the southern region of the Gaza Strip, an area where the Israeli military had advised Palestinians to evacuate. An Associated Press journalist witnessed the arrival of approximately 50 bodies at Nasser Hospital following the airstrikes in the southern city of Khan Younis.
In Deir al Balah, an airstrike reduced a house to rubble, claiming the lives of a man and 11 women and children who were inside the house and a neighboring one, some of whom had previously evacuated from Gaza City. Witnesses reported that there was no warning before the strike.
Israeli tank shelling struck a U.N. school in central Gaza where 4,000 Palestinians had sought refuge, resulting in six fatalities and numerous injuries, according to the United Nations Palestinian refugee agency. Over the past week, at least 24 U.N. facilities were hit, leading to the deaths of at least 14 agency staff members.
The Israeli military stated that its targets included Hamas hideouts, infrastructure, and command centers.
A heavy barrage of airstrikes impacted the Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza, leveling an entire block of homes and causing multiple casualties among the families residing there. Among the casualties was one of Hamas' top military commanders, Ayman Nofal, who was in charge of coordinating militant activities in the central Gaza Strip, including collaboration with other militant groups.
Throughout the day on Tuesday, a series of airstrikes resulted in the loss of numerous civilian lives, and at least one senior Hamas figure, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, an area where the Israeli military had instructed Palestinians to evacuate. An Associated Press correspondent observed approximately 50 bodies being brought to Nasser Hospital following the airstrikes in the southern city of Khan Younis.
In Deir al Balah, an airstrike demolished a house, leading to the tragic deaths of a man and 11 women and children who were inside the house and a neighboring one, some of whom had previously evacuated from Gaza City. Witnesses reported that there was no advance warning before the strike.
Israeli tank shelling struck a U.N. school in central Gaza, where 4,000 Palestinians had sought refuge, resulting in six fatalities and numerous injuries, as reported by the United Nations Palestinian refugee agency. Over the past week, at least 24 U.N. facilities were hit, leading to the deaths of at least 14 agency staff members.
The Israeli military stated that their targets included Hamas hideouts, infrastructure, and command centers.
A heavy barrage of airstrikes struck the Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza, causing the destruction of an entire block of homes and inflicting numerous casualties among the families residing there. Among the casualties was one of Hamas' top military commanders, Ayman Nofal, who was responsible for coordinating militant activities in the central Gaza Strip, including collaboration with other militant groups.
In Gaza City, Israeli airstrikes also hit the residence of Hamas' top political official, Ismail Haniyeh, leading to the deaths of at least 14 people. Haniyeh is based in Doha, Qatar, but his family resides in Gaza City. The Hamas media office did not immediately identify those killed.
Following Hamas' devastating attack last week, Israel has implemented restrictions on the entry of water, fuel, and food into Gaza. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken successfully negotiated with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to explore the establishment of a mechanism for delivering aid to the 2.3 million people in Gaza. While there has been progress, as of late Tuesday, a formal agreement was not yet in place. A senior Israeli official mentioned that Israel is insisting on guarantees that aid deliveries will not be seized by Hamas militants. Tzahi Hanegbi, head of Israel's National Security Council, also stated that the entry of aid might be contingent on the release of hostages held by Hamas, as this is a matter of great importance. However, the final details of the agreement are still pending.
Since Hamas' brutal attack last week, Israel has prevented the entry of water, fuel, and food into Gaza. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken successfully negotiated an agreement with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to explore the establishment of a mechanism for delivering aid to the 2.3 million people in the territory. While this progress may appear modest, U.S. officials emphasize that it represents a significant step forward.
As of late Tuesday, however, a formal deal had not been finalized. A senior Israeli official stated that Israel is insisting on guarantees that aid deliveries won't be seized by Hamas militants. Tzahi Hanegbi, the head of Israel's National Security Council, also suggested that the entry of aid might be linked to the release of hostages held by Hamas, emphasizing the importance of hostage return in any humanitarian efforts.
More than 1 million Palestinians, approximately half of Gaza's population, have been displaced from their homes, with 60% of them now residing in the roughly 14-kilometer (8-mile) long area to the south of the evacuation zone, as reported by the U.N. Aid workers have raised concerns that the territory is on the brink of a complete collapse. Hospitals are at risk of losing electricity, endangering the lives of thousands of patients, and hundreds of thousands of people are searching for bread and water.
The U.N. agency for Palestinians has reported that over 400,000 displaced individuals are currently residing in overcrowded schools and other facilities in the southern part of Gaza, with limited access to food and water.
Israel briefly opened a water supply into the southern area, benefiting only 14 percent of Gaza's population, according to the U.N.
At the Rafah crossing, which is Gaza's sole connection to Egypt, there were truckloads of aid waiting to enter, including over 300 tons of food from the World Food Program. Civilians with foreign citizenship, including many with dual nationalities, were also waiting in Rafah, seeking to leave.
Despite repeated reports suggesting an imminent opening of the crossings, negotiations involving the U.S., Israel, and Egypt continued, with no agreement in place.
A senior Egyptian official described the process as "very tough and complicated," indicating that the talks encompassed deliveries through both the Rafah crossing and Israel's Karam Shalom crossing into Gaza. Israel's insistence on inspecting all aid and ensuring it does not benefit Hamas was a point of contention. Egypt proposed that the U.N. oversee the entire process, including within Gaza.
Hamas and Israel officials expressed doubts about an immediate opening, indicating that they were unaware of any agreement.
President Biden's visit partly aims to prevent the conflict from escalating into a wider regional crisis. Recent violence occurred along Israel's border with Lebanon, where Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants operate. Israel evacuated towns near its northern border with Lebanon due to repeated exchanges of fire with Hezbollah militants.
On Tuesday morning, Israel reported the elimination of four militants wearing explosive vests who were trying to cross into the country from Lebanon. No specific group claimed responsibility for the incident.
Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, issued a warning, expressing concern that Israel's ongoing offensive in Gaza might provoke a violent reaction throughout the region. "The bombardments must cease immediately. Muslim nations are deeply angered," Khamenei stated, as reported by state media.