Hamas says at least 471 killed in Gaza hospital raid

Hamas' health ministry reported at least 471 deaths in the Al-Ahli hospital attack, up from the previous figure of 500.

"The death toll in the attack on Al-Ahli hospital is 471, 28 are in critical condition and 314 are injured to varying degrees," Hamas said in a statement on October 18.

Earlier, Hamas health officials said that the explosion at Al-Ahli hospital in the central Gaza Strip on the night of October 17 killed at least 500 people. The group accused the Israeli army of attacking the hospital.

Israel has insisted it did not attack the medical facility and said a rocket fired by Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) had malfunctioned after launch and landed in the hospital yard, causing the tragedy. US President Joe Biden also said he believed Israel was not responsible for the incident.

After being asked by reporters about this statement, Mr. Biden said that based on information informed to him by the US Department of Defense , "the attack appears to have been the result of a rocket malfunctioning and fired by a terrorist group in Gaza."

Palestinians walk through the rubble of Al-Ahli hospital in the central Gaza Strip on October 18. Photo: AP

Following the attack on Al-Ahli Hospital, Palestinians in the West Bank took to the streets to protest, accusing Israel of causing the incident. The protesters carried Palestinian flags, some held pro-Hamas banners, and chanted anti-Israel slogans.

Many have also accused Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas, leader of the Fatah movement opposed to Hamas, of “collaborating with Israel” and called for his ouster. Mr Abbas had previously described the Al-Ahli hospital attack as an “unforgivable war massacre”.

Gaza Strip hospital attacked — Attack on hospital in Gaza on October 17. Video : *Al Azeera*

Protests also broke out in several Arab and Muslim countries. Hundreds of Hezbollah supporters took to the streets chanting anti-American and anti-Israel slogans in the southern suburbs of Beirut.

In Jordan, about 5,000 people gathered outside the Israeli embassy, demanding the expulsion of the diplomatic mission. In Syria, hundreds of people carrying Palestinian flags gathered near the parliament building.

Location of Al-Ahli hospital in the Gaza Strip. Graphic: AFP — Location of Al-Ahli hospital in the Gaza Strip. Graphic: *AFP*

After the Hamas-Israel conflict broke out on October 7, at least 3,478 people were killed in the Gaza Strip. People in the area live under blockade and lack of basic necessities.

Israel said on October 18 it would allow aid into the Gaza Strip from Egypt, as long as it did not fall into the hands of Hamas. Egypt had previously said the crossing had been severely damaged by Israeli airstrikes and that it needed to wait for Tel Aviv to ensure safe passage before giving the green light for the convoy to enter the strip.

Ngoc Anh (According to AFP )

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