Tuesday, Al-Ahli hospital in the Gaza Strip was the target of a bombing that resulted in the tragic loss of more than 500 lives. Among the victims were sick and injured Palestinians, as well as medical professionals and refugees seeking shelter from the ongoing Israeli bombardment. The conflict in Gaza, initiated by Israel, has now led to the death of more than 3,500 Palestinians, with over 13,000 others sustaining injuries.
The Israeli government, in its apartheid regime, is engaging in an alarming level of militarized violence against the Palestinian population. Over the span of merely one week, from October 7th to October 12th, Israel conducted more than 6,000 airstrikes on the Palestinian people who are residing in areas considered to be under its unauthorized control.
In the 11 days leading up to the attack on Tuesday, the Israeli military had targeted 16 Palestinian hospitals, and notably, they attacked a children’s hospital using white phosphorus, a prohibited substance known to cause severe burns and uncontrollable fires. Israel has also launched strikes on what it referred to as ‘evacuation routes’ out of Gaza, resulting in the loss of lives among Palestinian civilians, humanitarian aid workers, and journalists who were trying to flee. It is imperative for the international community to take action in upholding international law and ensuring the protection of Palestinians amidst this severe and relentless offensive.
What is Israel’s narrative on the Gaza hospital explosion?
The Israeli military has reversed its stance and is now disavowing any responsibility for the tragic incident at Al-Ahli hospital. Initially, Israeli officials admitted to their involvement in the attack. It’s worth noting that prior to the incident, on October 14th, Israeli forces had shelled the hospital. Subsequently, Palestinian health authorities received a warning call from the Israeli military, instructing them to evacuate Al-Ahli hospital, along with five others.
The Israeli government has consistently acted without being held accountable during its enduring and decades-long occupation of Palestinian territories. The Israeli system, which combines apartheid and occupation, frequently resorts to falsehoods in an attempt to conceal its potential war crimes, thereby allowing these offenses to persist. Occurrences like the 2014 beach bombing, the 2022 killing of a journalist, and the recent assault on Gaza civilians seeking refuge exposed deceptive actions. Additionally, Israel has imposed restrictions preventing human rights organizations and UN human rights officials from conducting investigations into the alleged crimes.
Despite the distressing loss of life, neither the UK government nor the opposition has adopted a resolute position in demanding an immediate ceasefire, which is critically necessary to stop the ongoing violence. There are calls to uphold international laws, protect Palestinian lives, and ensure accountability for what could potentially be considered war crimes committed by Israel.
