Israeli PM Netanyahu: Hamas, not IDF, attacked Gaza hospital

Israel has denied having a hand in the air strike that is believed to have killed hundreds of Palestinians at the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City. 

Hamas, the Palestinian militant group, blamed Israel for the “horrific massacre” which happened on Tuesday.

A video obtained by Reuters showed several ambulances arriving at another Gaza hospital carrying people injured at Al-Ahli al-Arabi hospital.

One man was staggering, bleeding heavily from the head. A boy was being carried on a stretcher.

Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Bahrain also accused the Jewish state of firing the rocket at the hospital.

At the time, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) issued a statement saying it did not target hospitals and added that an investigation was underway.

A few hours later, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister, blamed the deadly hospital blast on Palestine.

“So the whole world knows: The barbaric terrorists in Gaza are the ones who attacked the Gaza hospital, not the IDF,” Netanyahu said.

“Those who cruelly murdered our children, murder their children as well.”

In another statement, the IDF said “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,” IDF added.

Breaking: IDF Spokesperson

From the analysis of the operational systems of the IDF, an enemy rocket barrage was carried out towards Israel, which passed through the vicinity of the hospital when it was hit.

According to intelligence information, from several sources we have,…

— Israel ישראל (@Israel) October 17, 2023

Advertisement

The attack also comes a day before United States President Joe Biden is slated to visit Israel as a show of solidarity.