A blast at a Gaza hospital killed hundreds of Palestinians just before U.S. President Joe Biden visited Israel as the conflict between the Israeli military and the Hamas raged.
WHO BOMBED THE HOSPITAL IN GAZA?
Israelis and Palestinians have blamed each other for the hospital bombing.
Biden, who has stood squarely behind Israel from the start of the conflict, said that based on what he had seen the explosion was caused by the "other team" - a reference to Palestinian.
Some Western countries have called for an investigation, without pointing the finger at this stage, while Arab states have blamed Israel.
WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT THE HOSPITAL?
Founded 1882 and run by the Anglican church, Al Ahli Arab Hospital described itself on its website as "a haven of peace in the middle of one of the world’s most troubled places". The hospital said it offered 80 beds with services such as a free programme to detect breast cancer, a centre for elderly women, and a mobile clinic offering free services to surrounding towns.
It is located in the Zeitoun neighbourhood of Gaza City, which lies in the northern region of the Gaza Strip.
HOW MANY PEOPLE WERE IN THE HOSPITAL?
Although it had a limited number of beds, the hospital and others in Gaza have been crammed with casualties beyond their capacity since the start of Israeli air strikes launched in response to the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel.
As well as handling a surge in the number of wounded, people have also sought refuge in hospital grounds all over Gaza believing them to be safe havens against strikes.
Dr Fadel Naim, head of orthopedic surgery, said about 1,000 people were in Al Ahli Arab Hospital on Tuesday morning and more rushed there later in the day after he said the Israeli army had warned residents in the Zeitoun neighbourhood to evacuate their homes.
Dr Ibrahim Al-Naqa said more than 3,000 people had sought refuge at the hospital at the time of the strike.
WHAT HAPPENED BEFORE THE STRIKE?
Israel previously told Palestinians in the north of Gaza, including people in Gaza City, to move south for their own safety. Israel's military specifically told Zeitoun residents to move south on Tuesday in a message issued on social media platform X.
The Kuwaiti specialized hospital in Rafah city, in the south of Gaza, said on Oct. 16 it had it had received two Israeli warnings to evacuate but its director said its staff would not leave.
WHAT DETAILS DO WE HAVE ABOUT THE STRIKE?
Dr Naim said he had finished one surgery and was about to change his medical vest to start another when he heard a huge explosion. Dr Naqa said the blast took place at about 6.30 pm 1530 GMT).
WHAT DAMAGE WAS SUSTAINED?
Footage and images obtained by Reuters from inside the hospital showed about two dozen destroyed vehicles in its grounds.
They were surrounded by damaged buildings with windows blown out. Blood stains were on the walls and on the ground.
WHAT HAVE THE PALESTINIANS SAID?
Palestinian officials have blamed Israel.
Islamic Jihad, a Palestinian group that is an ally of Hamas, denied that any of its rockets were involved in the blast, saying it did not have any activity in or around Gaza City at that time.
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh said the United States was responsible, saying Washington had given Israel "the cover for its aggression".
The health minister of the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority blamed Israel for what he called a "massacre".
WHAT HAS ISRAEL SAID?
Israel has denied it was to blame and said the blast was caused by a failed rocket launch by Islamic Jihad.
An Israeli army spokesperson said an analysis of the operational systems of the Israel Defense Forces indicated that a barrage of rockets was fired by the group in Gaza, passing in close proximity to the hospital 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."
A military spokesperson said there was no structural damage to buildings around the hospital and no craters consistent with an air strike. The spokesperson said Hamas had inflated the casualty numbers and said the group could not know as quickly as it claimed what caused the blast.
The military said some 450 rockets fired from Gaza had fallen short and landed in the Gaza Strip in the past 11 days.
WHAT HAS THE UNITED STATES SAID?
Biden pointed the finger of blame at Palestinian group.
Speaking alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Biden said: "I was deeply saddened and outraged by the explosion of the hospital in Gaza yesterday, and based on what I've seen, it appears as though it was done by the other team, not you."
WHAT HAS THE ANGLICAN CHURCH SAID?
Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury and head of the Anglican church, said: "This is an appalling and devastating loss of innocent lives. The Ahli hospital is run by the Anglican church. I mourn with our brothers and sisters."
"I renew my appeal for civilians to be protected in this devastating war. May the Lord God have mercy."
WHAT HAS BEEN THE REACTION IN THE REGION?
The strike has enflamed Arab governments and groups in the region. Protesters took to the streets in several Arab countries denouncing what they said was an Israeli strike on the hospital.
Jordan's King Abdullah blamed Israel for the blast and his country cancelled a summit it was to host in Amman on Wednesday to discuss Gaza with the U.S. president and the Egyptian and Palestinian leaders. Egypt also blamed Israel.
In Lebanon, Iran-based Hezbollah, which fought a war with Israel in 2006, denounced what it called Israel's deadly attack and called for protests on Wednesday. The Beirut government declared a national day of mourning.
Reuters
Wed Oct 18 2023
An injured person is assisted at Shifa Hospital after hundreds of Palestinians were killed in a blast at Al-Ahli hospital in Gaza City, Gaza Strip, October 17, 2023. - REUTERS/Mohammed
Who is Prabowo Subianto, incoming president of Indonesia?
A wealthy ex-general with ties to Indonesia's popular outgoing president and its dictatorial past, looks set to be its next leader.
Iran's supreme leader says Hamas leader's death will not halt 'Axis of Resistance'
The "Axis of Resistance", built up with years of Iranian support, includes Hamas, the Lebanese Hezbollah group, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and various Shi'ite groups in Iraq and Syria.
Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel
Russia is ready to help seek compromises between arch-foes Israel and Iran, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying these would be difficult but possible.
What proposals will Russia push at the BRICS summit?
The proposal is also to establish a BRICS reinsurance company to allow uninterrupted shipment of goods and key commodities between members.
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.