Blast kills hundreds at Gaza hospital; Hamas and Israel trade blame, as Biden heads to Mideast

[BumRushDaShow]

Last edited Tue Oct 17, 2023, 05:29 PM - Edit history (6)

Source: AP

Updated 5:24 PM EDT, October 17, 2023


KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — A massive blast rocked a Gaza City hospital packed with wounded and other Palestinians seeking shelter Tuesday, killing hundreds of people, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said. Hamas blamed an Israeli airstrike, while the Israeli military said the hospital was hit by a rocket misfired by Palestinian militants.

The Gaza Health Ministry said at least 500 people were killed. Video that The Associated Press confirmed was from the hospital showed fire engulfing the building and the hospital’s grounds strewn with torn bodies, many of them young children. Around them in the grass were blankets, school backpacks and other belongings.

Outrage over what many believed was an Israeli strike flared across the region, a day before President Joe Biden was due to arrive to show support for Israel and try to prevent the war from spreading. The carnage unfolded as the U.S. tried to convince Israel to allow the delivery of supplies to desperate civilians, aid groups and hospitals in the tiny Gaza Strip, which has been under a complete siege since Hamas’ deadly rampage in southern Israel last week.

Hamas called Tuesday’s hospital blast “a horrific massacre,” saying it was caused by an Israeli strike. The Israeli military blamed Islamic Jihad, a smaller, more radical Palestinian militant group that often cooperates with Hamas in their shared struggle against Israel. The military said Islamic Jihad militants had fired a barrage of rockets near the hospital at the time and that “intelligence from multiple sources” indicated it was “responsible for the failed rocket launch that hit the hospital.”

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-war-biden-rafah-e062825a375d9eb62e95509cab95b80c

---

Article updated.

Previous articles/headlines -

Updated 4:19 PM EDT, October 17, 2023


KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) -- A massive blast rocked a Gaza City hospital packed with wounded and other Palestinians seeking shelter Tuesday, killing hundreds of people, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said. Hamas blamed an Israeli airstrike, while the Israeli military said the hospital was hit by a rocket misfired by Palestinian militants.

The health ministry said at least 500 people had been killed. Video that The Associated Press confirmed was from the hospital showed fire engulfing the building and the hospital's grounds strewn with torn bodies, many of them young children. Around them in the grass were blankets, school backpacks and other belongings.

The carnage came as the U.S. tried to convince Israel to allow the delivery of supplies to desperate civilians, aid groups and hospitals in the tiny Gaza Strip, which has been under a complete siege since Hamas' deadly rampage in southern Israel last week. It also came a day before President Joe Biden was due to visit the region to show support for Israel and try to prevent the war from spreading.

Hundreds of Palestinians had taken refuge in al-Ahli and other hospitals in Gaza City in past days, hoping they would be spared bombardment after Israel ordered all residents of the city and surrounding areas to evacuate to the southern Gaza Strip. Hamas called Tuesday's hospital strike "a horrific massacre," saying it was caused by an Israeli strike..

Israel denies involvement in Gaza hospital blast, says explosion caused by Palestinian rocket

Updated 3:50 PM EDT, October 17, 2023


KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) -- The Israeli military says it had no involvement in an explosion that killed hundreds of people at a Gaza City hospital and that the blast was caused by a misfired Palestinian rocket.

The Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza says an Israeli airstrike caused the blast, and that it killed some 500 people, many of whom had sought shelter from an ongoing Israeli offensive.

The Israeli military, however, said Palestinian militants had fired a barrage of rockets near the hospital at the time.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP's earlier story follows below.

Hamas says Israeli airstrike on Gaza hospital kills hundreds, as Biden heads to Mideast

Updated 3:30 PM EDT, October 17, 2023


KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) -- The Health Ministry run by Hamas said an Israeli airstrike on Tuesday hit a Gaza City hospital packed with wounded and other Palestinians seeking shelter, killing hundreds of people. If confirmed, the attack would be by far the deadliest Israeli airstrike in five wars fought since 2008.

The health ministry said at least 500 people had been killed. Photos and video purportedly from al-Ahli Hospital on social media showed fire engulfing the building and the hospital's grounds strewn with torn bodies, many of them young children. Around them in the grass were blankets, school backpacks and other belongings. The images could not immediately be independently verified.

The strike came as the U.S. was trying to convince Israel to allow the delivery of supplies to desperate civilians, aid groups and hospitals in the tiny Gaza Strip, which has been under a complete siege since Hamas' deadly rampage last week. It also came a day before President Joe Biden was due to visit the region to show support for Israel and try to prevent the war from spreading.

Hundreds of Palestinians had taken refuge in al-Ahli and other hospitals in Gaza City in past days, hoping they would be spared bombardment after Israel ordered all residents of the city and surrounding areas to evacuate to the southern Gaza Strip. Hamas called Tuesday's hospital strike "a horrific massacre." Israeli military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said there were still no details on the hospital deaths: "We will get the details and update the public. I don't know to say whether it was an Israeli air strike."

Source: President Mahmoud Abbas cancels planned meeting with President Biden after hospital strike

Updated 2:55 PM EDT, October 17, 2023


KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) -- A senior Palestinian official says President Mahmoud Abbas has canceled his participation in a meeting scheduled Wednesday with President Joe Biden and other Mideast leaders.

Abbas was scheduled to join Jordan's King Abdullah II and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi at Wednesday's summit in Amman, Jordan, where they are to discuss the latest Israel-Hamas war with Biden.

But the senior official said Abbas was withdrawing to protest an alleged Israeli airstrike on a hospital in Gaza that Hamas health officials say has killed over 500 people.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the cancelation has not been formally announced.


THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP's earlier story follows below.

Hamas-run Health Ministry says Israeli airstrike on hospital kills hundreds

Updated 2:15 PM EDT, October 17, 2023


KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) -- The Health Ministry run by Hamas said an Israeli airstrike on Tuesday hit a Gaza City hospital packed with wounded and other Palestinians seeking shelter, killing hundreds. If confirmed, the attack would be by far the deadliest Israeli airstrike in five wars fought since 2008.

The health ministry, which is run by Hamas, said at least 500 people had been killed. Photos purportedly from al-Ahli Hospital shared widely on social video showed fire engulfing the building, widespread damage and bodies scattered in the wreckage. The photos could not be independently verified.

Several hospitals in Gaza City have become refuges for hundreds of people, hoping they would be spared bombardment after Israel ordered all residents of the city and surrounding areas to evacuate to the southern Gaza Strip. Hamas, which sparked the latest war with an attack last week that killed more than 1,400 Israelis, called Tuesday's hospital strike "a horrific massacre." It said in a statement that most of the casualties were displaced families, patients, children and women.

Israeli military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said there were still no details on the hospital deaths: "We will get the details and update the public. I don't know to say whether it was an Israeli air strike."

Original article/headline -

Hundreds killed in Israeli airstrike on Gaza City hospital, Health Ministry says

Updated 1:39 PM EDT, October 17, 2023


KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) -- The Gaza Health Ministry said an Israeli airstrike Tuesday hit a Gaza City hospital packed with wounded and other Palestinians seeking shelter, killing hundreds. If confirmed, the attack would be by far the deadliest Israeli airstrike in five wars fought since 2008.

Photos from al-Ahli Hospital showed fire engulfing the hospital halls, shattered glass and body parts scattered across the area. The ministry said at least 500 people had been killed.

Several hospitals in Gaza City have become refuges for hundreds of people, hoping they would be spared bombardment after Israel ordered all residents of the city and surrounding areas to evacuate to the southern Gaza Strip.

Israeli military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said there were still no details on the hospital deaths: "We will get the details and update the public. I don't know to say whether it was an Israeli air strike."

[Sky Jewels]

1. Fuuuuuuuuuck!

[JohnSJ]

2. Should have never happened. If this is accurate, WTF are they doing? There is no excuse for this

and it is a major screw up.

We will see what the full story is, and Israel’s response, but where they were the victim of a terrorist attack, they will lose support because of this.

[LaMouffette]

3. Man's inhumanity to man on full display. I know Hamas struck first, this time,

and their acts have been nothing less than depraved, immoral, and subhuman, but striking a hospital is also unconscionable.


Many and sharp the numerous ills
Inwoven with our frame;
More pointed still, we make ourselves
Regret, remorse and shame;
And man, whose heaven-erected face
The smiles of love adorn,
Man's inhumanity to man,
Makes countless thousands mourn.
---Robert Burns

[Igel]

29. And probably not Hamas.

It's at least a 3 body problem.

[IronLionZion]

4. And the cycle of hate and violence continues

[BeyondGeography]

5. Operation Cast Lead revisited

Insane.

[Bayard]

6. If true.....

Wonder if this will affect President Biden's visit? He said they had to play by, "The Rules of War."

Also, if true, it would make Israel no better than Russia bombing Ukrainian hospitals.

[enid602]

7. Biden

Biden was smart to put this condiition on his 'unconditional support.'

[oldsoftie]

18. Its not true. it was a Hamas rocket. During a Hamas rocket attack.

No Israeli air activity was going on at the time but a Hamas attack WAS

[KewlKat]

22. It was jihad...

[Bayard]

36. I've seen that since

Thanks

[oldsoftie]

40. Although Israel is now saying Islamic jihad now. Potato/potato.

[womanofthehills]

26. Some leaders will now not be meeting with him

Biden Scraps Plans to Visit Jordan After Summit Canceled

US president had planned to meet Sisi, Abbas and Abdullah II
Summit canceled after Gaza hospital blast kills hundreds
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-10-17/biden-summit-with-arab-leaders-canceled-jordan-minister-says#xj4y7vzkg

[FredGarvin]

8. apnews is a garbage propaganda outlet

The Gaza Health Ministry?
Get real

[BumRushDaShow]

13. All of the news sites are reporting this

including BBC. The problem is that most are doing "Live Updates" and I can't post those here.

BBC - Link to "live updates" - https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-middle-east-67119233

14:20


Pictured: Scene of alleged hospital strike
A fire burns at the site of an alleged hospital strike in Gaza
(BBC Copyright: BBC)

This is the first image from the scene of the alleged hospital strike in central Gaza that the BBC has verified.

Reuters - https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/least-500-victims-israeli-air-strike-hospital-gaza-health-ministry-2023-10-17/

[Igel]

30. The problem is that most don't know that the director of Shifa

is a Hamas appointee and the Gaza Health ministry is a function of Hamas.

Or they know and count on the commoners to not know that ministerial appointees are *government* and that Hamas is the Gazan government.

They're worse than Sinn Fein. At least the Irish risibly said that the political and military wings were different critters with separation of charity and "me wanna kill." The Resistance are proud in wanting to both feed the Good and kill the Bad, and clear on "we, good; they, bad" ideological clap-trap (but I redundantly reiterate what I said).

[Happy Hoosier]

9. Just be clear... the "Health Ministry" is Hamas.

I don't trust a word they say.

[mcar]

10. I'll wait for verification

I think it's irresponsible of the media to simply report what Hamas is saying.

[JohnSJ]

12. BBC is reporting it as "according to Palestinian officials", followed by Israel is saying it is

investigating the incident

The media's responsibility is to confirm it.

[JohnSJ]

11. While I don't think this was intentional, if the story is accurate, there is no excuse for it.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

14. Hundreds feared dead in strike on Gaza hospital; Biden plans Israel visit

Hundreds feared dead in strike on Gaza hospital; Biden plans Israel visit
Updated 3 min ago

An attack on the al-Ahli Hospital in the middle of Gaza City is believed to have killed hundreds of people, a spokesman for the Palestinian Civil Defense told The Washington Post. Meanwhile, bombardments by the Israel Defense Forces on Tuesday hit southern parts of the Gaza Strip — an area the IDF has demanded that Gazans from the north relocate to in anticipation of its expected offensive in the north against Hamas. As many as 1 million people may have been displaced from the north of the enclave, aid agencies say. Several Western leaders announced plans to travel to Israel this week in a show of support ahead of the country’s expected ground offensive in the Gaza Strip and to plead for humanitarian relief for Gaza. President Biden said he would visit Israel on Wednesday to show solidarity with the U.S. ally.

{snip}

[FredGarvin]

15. No doubt the work of ISIS/HAMAS

A Christian hospital.

terrorists gonna terrorize

even if full of wounded citizens

[womanofthehills]

27. Gaza: Forcing patients to flee hospitals a 'death sentence' warns WHO

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Saturday strongly condemned Israel’s repeated order for 22 hospitals in northern Gaza to be evacuated, describing it as a “death sentence” for the sick and injured.

With around 2,000 desperately ill patients inside their wards, WHO said the forced evacuation of both patients and health workers “will further worsen the current humanitarian and public health catastrophe.”

https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/10/1142347

[Igel]

31. Assumption check.

Options:

Israeli intentional

Hamas intentional "false flag"

Islamic Jihad/etc. intentional.

**Those three are really harsh. Possible, but harsh.**

Israeli accidental--equipment fails.

Hamas accidental--crappier equipment fails.

IJ/etc. accidental--crappier ... uh ... crappierer equipment fails enougher.

But there can be no accidents in this scenario. Why? We need blaminess. (Yeah, it's my word.)

But we know equipment fails. The press has struggled to report when a Gazan missile fails and kills Palestinians, but it's well documented it happens--it's like US munitions blowing up or equipment not working because of mechanical/hardware/software failure and killing Americans. Human error notwithstanding, many are still "Challengered" by the idea.

Now, hours later, I've seen footage that suggests strongly--but doesn't yet prove--that a rocket fired from Gaza, almost certainly not IDF, hit real close to al-ahli. And while I really want to declare that to be Truth, I can't. I wanted when I heard of this hours ago to say it wasn't IDF; I have a side in this, weird tho' it be. But passions rule and so do oppression; intellect rules, and so does oppression; compassion with both mind having a 2/3 and passions a 1/3 vote seems to be an okay combination. So far.

I'm leaning "not IDF" (but out on IJ v H), but days from Decision Day.

Homily/Drash off.

[AntiFascist]

16. If this is true...

bombing a hospital will only turn more (young) Palestinians into terrorists. Maybe this is what Netanyahu wants.

[womanofthehills]

28. It's turning the whole Arab world against Israel

So many protests going on in embassies today - who knows what’s coming.

We can’t forget everyone has cell phones - so every horror is recorded and shared all over the world.

[SlimJimmy]

32. See, this is the bottom line - it's not true.

Many folks here at DU jump right on the latest headline without a thought about its veracity. Not saying that you're one of them, just a general comment. It has now been shown that Israel was not conducting any activity in that area at the time of the attack, but Hamas was. (a rocket attack) But just a few short hours ago, I was reading headlines from major papers saying Israel had bombed a hospital, and that there were at least 500 casualties - mostly children. I have to be honest, I'm just about sick of this BS. Why don't we try to verify the story before commenting on it? Why doesn't the major media do the same? This is exactly the kind of game that Hamas always plays. They do the killing and then immediately blame it on the IDF, and the major media falls right in line.

[AntiFascist]

33. My point is still valid, no matter what organization is at fault...

more Palestinians (not to mention others in the Arab world) are likely to become radicalized and this is NOT a good thing for Israel! I'm getting quite sick of hearing about the humanitarian disaster in Gaza in general, but it does exist and it does need a solution.

[SlimJimmy]

34. When lies can influence world opinion, then Hamas and others have achieved their goal.

And that is their goal. The humanitarian disaster in Palestine is and always has been the result of Hamas being more interested in sending rockets to Israel than helping their own people. There is a solution to the humanitarian disaster in Palestine, and Hamas has only to look internally to find it.

[AntiFascist]

35. Based on your own logic, Hamas will not be finding the solution...

Hamas needs to be rooted out and eliminated, but this needs to be done intelligently without rooting out the general population.

[SlimJimmy]

37. Hamas had their chance to solve this problem years and years ago.

They chose bombs and rockets over their people. They chose death over progress. Now it's time for Israel to take over. But before they do that, they need to utterly destroy Hamas. (hint) In some cases Hamas is the general population.

[AntiFascist]

38. Biden said that Israel occupying Gaza would be a mistake...

Israel should take this seriously if they want the US' continued support.

[SlimJimmy]

39. I'm saying clear Gaza of all innocent civilians, then make a parking lot out of it.

There can never be another attack by Hamas like the one on October 7th.

[AntiFascist]

41. ...and in the process destroying the homes of most if not all Northern Gazan residents...

This would make the humanitarian crisis much worse, increase tensions around the world, probably draw the US into war with Iran, and Israel may very well get damaged beyond repair in the process. Not a good solution!

I'm all for eradicating the radicalized forces in Gaza, but it needs to be done with precision and intelligence. Netanyahu has proven to be inept and his approach to Palestine has not worked.

[SlimJimmy]

43. The Hamas terrorists are part of the Palestinians.

They blend in and out with ease. The only solution is to clear the civilians that want to leave, and level it. We'll just have to agree to disagree on this one.

[oldsoftie]

17. This is a LIE. it was an errant Hamas missile. A LIE. Thats what Hamas DOES.

No Israeli air forces were in the air, no Israeli strikes were occurring.
but there WAS a Hamas rocket attack happening at the same time.
Do the math, media.
And if the "media" is in Gaza, remember only Hamas approved reporters are allowed there. With "sponsors"

[24601]

21. President Biden has the authority to declassify the U.S. assessment of launch origin based on

satellite IR. I would, without reservation, believe the President on what he declassifies and releases.

Without an official release of information, I'd draw inferences from what he does. If he goes to Israel, he would have very high confidence that this was not an Israeli strike. Canceling the trip could signal uncertainty or belief that the strike came from Israel. Protection concerns could also result in canceling the trip.

10 days into this war, I'd be amazed if US Space Command didn't have at one or more platforms bore-sighted over Israel. According to unclassified fact sheets, we have six Space Based IR satellites in Geostationary and Highly-Elliptical orbits in addition to the undisclosed number of older Defense Support System platforms that remain in geostationary orbit.

https://www.spaceforce.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Article/2197746/space-based-infrared-system/

https://www.spaceforce.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Article/2197774/defense-support-program-satellites/

[JohnSJ]

23. Even if that happened, or even if they allowed neutral inspectors to go in and determine the

explosions signatures, people will still believe what they want.

Just look how many believe trump won.

[Hieronymus Phact]

19. Keep walkin' away Abbas, any excuse will do.

How's that been working out for Palestinians so far?

[johannsyah]

20. Abbas is corrupt.

He's been a president since 2005. There's no democracy in West Bank.

[JohnSJ]

24. Yeah, but not as corrupt as Arafat was

[Cha]

25. I hope we learn the truth on this..

What actually happened.

[Aussie105]

42. I feel outrage about the whole event.

Level thinking leaders on both sides should see this as a step too far and conflict based on the blame game does not achieve anything.
They need to think about laying down arms and start serious peace negotiations.

My outrage comes from the simple fact that that won't happen. And that this event will just stoke the fire and precipitate future atrocities.