On October 18, 2023, a devastating blast occurred at the al-Ahli hospital in Gaza, resulting in a high number of casualties. The health ministry in Gaza immediately attributed the explosion to an Israeli air raid, while Israel claimed it was caused by a misfired rocket launched by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) armed group.[0] The Pentagon independently concluded that the blast was likely caused by a PIJ rocket that fell short of its target. The PIJ, however, denied any involvement in the incident.[1]
During a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, U.S. President Joe Biden expressed his belief that the hospital attack was carried out by the “other team” and not Israel.[2] Biden later reiterated this statement during a meeting with first responders and victim's families in Israel. He based his conclusion on data provided by the U.S. Defense Department.[3]
In response to Biden's remarks, Israel announced that it would not block humanitarian aid from entering Gaza from Egypt.[4] However, it stated that it would only allow supplies in if they consisted of water, food, and medicine for the civilian population and did not reach Hamas. This decision came after Biden's demand for Israel to allow the flow of humanitarian aid.[5]
The Palestinian Health Ministry reported that at least 471 people died in the blast, making it the deadliest incident in the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.[6] Hospitals in Gaza were already overwhelmed by the number of injured patients and lacked essential resources such as electricity, water, and medicine.[7] The Israeli army had also ordered some hospitals to evacuate, further exacerbating the dire situation.[8]
Speculation arose about whether Biden's defense of Israel was influenced by his strong support for the country. However, statements from U.S. officials, lawmakers, and experts supported the administration's conclusion that Israel was not responsible for the hospital explosion. The U.S. National Security Council analyzed overhead imagery, intercepts, and open-source information, concluding that Israel was not responsible for the blast.
Protests condemning the hospital explosion erupted in several cities across the Middle East and North Africa, including Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Iran, and Tunisia.[9] In the occupied West Bank, clashes occurred between Palestinian protesters and security forces.[9]
Amidst the crisis, Biden arrived in Israel to show his support and solidarity. He promised to raise humanitarian concerns and announced that the U.S. would provide $100 million in funding for humanitarian assistance in Gaza and the West Bank.[6] He also urged the Israeli government to allow aid workers to enter Gaza and provide lifesaving assistance to civilians.
The Senate Intelligence Committee reviewed intelligence related to the hospital attack and concluded that the explosion resulted from a failed rocket launch by militant terrorists, not an Israeli airstrike.[10] Sens. Mark Warner and Marco Rubio, the committee's leaders, released a statement expressing their confidence in this assessment.
The hospital explosion at al-Ahli hospital in Gaza has further escalated the Israel-Gaza crisis, with both sides continuing to blame each other for the incident. The exact cause of the blast remains disputed, and further investigations are necessary to determine the truth. In the meantime, the people of Gaza continue to suffer the devastating consequences of the ongoing conflict.
0. “What Everyone Needs to Know About Hamas' Lie About a Rocket Strike on a Gaza Hospital” American Jewish Committee, 17 Oct. 2023, https://www.ajc.org/news/what-everyone-needs-to-know-about-hamas-lie-about-a-rocket-strike-on-a-gaza-hospital
1. “What we know so far about the deadly strike on a Gaza hospital” Al Jazeera English, 18 Oct. 2023, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/18/what-do-we-know-about-the-strike-on-the-hospital-in-gaza
2. “Biden on Gaza hospital strike: Looks like the ‘other team' did it” POLITICO Europe, 18 Oct. 2023, https://www.politico.eu/article/us-biden-on-gaza-hospital-strike-the-other-team-did-it/
3. “Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud, Rep. Rashida Tlaib criticize Biden after Gaza hospital explosion” CBS News, 18 Oct. 2023, https://www.cbsnews.com/detroit/news/dearborn-mayor-abdullah-hammoud-rep-rashida-tlaib-criticize-biden-after-gaza-hospital-explosion/
4. “U.S. intel indicates Israel didn't bomb Gaza hospital” POLITICO, 18 Oct. 2023, https://www.politico.com/newsletters/national-security-daily/2023/10/18/u-s-intel-indicates-israel-didnt-bomb-gaza-hospital-00122197
5. “Biden Says Pentagon Indicates Israel Not Behind Gaza Hospital Blast” Bloomberg, 18 Oct. 2023, https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-10-18/biden-lands-in-israel-seeking-to-salvage-trip-after-deadly-blast
6. “New Satellite Photos Show Gaza's Al-Ahli Hospital After Devastating Explosion” The Daily Beast, 18 Oct. 2023, https://www.thedailybeast.com/new-satellite-photos-show-gazas-al-ahli-hospital-after-devastating-explosion
7. “Gaza hospitals are ‘facing catastrophe', says Archbishop of Canterbury” The Archbishop of Canterbury, 15 Oct. 2023, https://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/news/news-and-statements/gaza-hospitals-are-facing-catastrophe-says-archbishop-canterbury
8. “Gaza’s only cancer hospital could shut down amid Israel’s war and siege” Al Jazeera English, 19 Oct. 2023, https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2023/10/19/gazas-only-cancer-hospital-could-shut-down-amid-israels-war-and-siege
9. “Biden touts aid negotiations for Gaza, as US assesses Israel ‘not responsible' for hospital blast” CNN, 19 Oct. 2023, https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/18/middleeast/israel-gaza-hamas-war-wednesday-intl-hnk/index.html
10. “Fetterman calls rush to blame Israel for hospital blast ‘disturbing’” The Hill, 18 Oct. 2023, https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/4263859-fetterman-calls-rush-to-blame-israel-for-hospital-blast-disturbing/
