Gaza Hospital Bombing: 500 lives lost, a blame game between Palestine and Israel ensues

An airstrike on Gaza's Al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Northern Gaza on October 17 reportedly claimed over 500 lives, and a blame game ensued soon after. Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian Ambassador to the United Nations, accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of mongering 'lies' about the catastrophic hospital bombing in Gaza on Wednesday. Hamas and Israel flung scathing allegations at each other on Tuesday. On one hand, Hamas claimed that the blast was a consequence of an Israeli airstrike, on the other, the Israeli Defense forces refuted such claims and stated that the hospital was hit in a 'failed missile attack' launched by 'terrorists of Gaza.'

Taking to social media platform 'X', Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu concurred with the claims of the IDF and blamed the 'Islamic jihadi militants' for the attack that bore catastrophic consequences. "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. 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," said the Israeli Prime Minister.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have released a video purportedly of 'Palestinian Terrorists' discussing the "failed rocket launch" that killed hundreds of people. Sharing a voice note on 'X', the IDF said, "Islamic Jihad struck a Hospital in Gaza—the IDF did not. Listen to the terrorists as they realize this themselves". The IDF claimed that the voice note was from Hamas soldiers discussing the 'failed rocket launch' that killed Gazans at Al Ahli hospital.

Debunking Netanyahu's claims, Palestinian Ambassador Riyad Mansour vehemently denied the Israeli PM's assertion. "He is a liar...His digital spokesperson tweeted that Israel did the hit thinking that there was a base for Hamas around this hospital, and then he deleted that tweet. We have a copy of that tweet... Now they changed the story to try to blame the Palestinians." said the Palestinian Ambassador, sharpening his attack on Netanyahu. “The Israeli spokesperson of the Army made a statement in which he said evacuate the hospitals...Their intention is to evacuate or hospitals will be hit and they are responsible for that crime and they cannot fabricate stories to deal with it.”he added.

The airstrike that claimed hundreds of lives, was quick to attract international condemnation.

US President Joe Biden denounced the attack and said that he was 'outraged and saddened' on his way to the Middle East. According to US intelligence, Israel is not responsible for the attack on the Gazan Hospital, said the White House on Wednesday. President Joe Biden claimed that it seemed like a consequence of a 'misfired rocket' by a 'terrorist group.' Biden has backed Israel's stance that it did not carry out the hospital attack that killed several hundred Palestinians.

Joseph Borrel, the European Union foreign policy chief followed in close heels and condemned the attack. "The responsibility for this crime must be clearly established & the perpetrators held accountable," said the EU foreign policy chief.

“Deeply shocked at the tragic loss of lives at the Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza. Our heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, and prayers for speedy recovery of those injured. Civilian casualties in the ongoing conflict are a matter of serious and continuing concern. Those involved should be held responsible,” said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Widespread protests poured in from across the world, with protestors in Jordan, which happens to house millions of Palestinian refugees, trying to storm into the Israeli embassy. Angry protestors pelted stones, set the building on fire, and clashed with security forces outside the US embassy in Lebanon.