An Israeli air strike on Tuesday killed at the least 500 Palestinians on the al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza Metropolis full of sufferers and displaced individuals, well being ministry within the besieged enclave stated.
The strike was the bloodiest single incident in Gaza since Israel launched an unrelenting bombing marketing campaign in opposition to the densely populated territory in retaliation for the Oct 7 Hamas assault.
It passed off on the eve of a go to by US President Joe Biden to Israel to indicate assist for Israel.
Key developments
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas cancels assembly with Biden
WHO assembly ‘decision-makers’ at present to open Gaza entry as quickly as potential
Over 3,000 Palestinians killed, 12,500 wounded since Oct 7; Gaza hospitals at ‘breaking level’
Israel says 199 hostages taken by Hamas fighters
Biden set to go to Israel; Chinese language envoy heads to Center East; FM Jilani in Jeddah for OIC session
In an announcement, the well being ministry within the Gaza Strip stated there are “tons of of victims” beneath the rubble of a Gaza hospital compound that was hit by Israeli bombing, Al Jazeera reported.
Gaza’s Hamas authorities described the assault as a “warfare crime”. It stated the bombing principally killed individuals left homeless by Israel bombardments, and that the useless included sufferers, ladies and kids.
“There are scores of dismembered and crushed our bodies, baths of blood,” stated Izzat El-Reshiq, a senior Hamas member.
Video on social media confirmed a number of full ambulances arriving at one other Gaza hospital carrying individuals injured at Al-Ahli al-Arabi hospital. One man was staggering, bleeding closely from the top. A boy was being carried on a stretcher.
Quickly after the lethal strikes, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas canceled his scheduled assembly with the US president, Reuters reported quoting a Palestinian official.
Abbas additionally declared three days of mourning following the Israeli bombing, the official Palestinian information company WAFA reported.
UNRWA commissioner-general Philippe Lazzarini known as the bombing at Al-Maghazi refugee camp, additionally in central Gaza, “outrageous” and warned the dying toll would probably rise.
“It once more reveals a flagrant disregard for the lives of civilians. No place is secure in Gaza anymore, not even UNRWA amenities,” he added.
The Israeli navy denied accountability for the blast on the Al-Ahli al-Arabi hospital, suggesting the hospital was hit by a failed rocket inside Gaza.
“An evaluation of IDF operational techniques signifies {that a} barrage of rockets was fired by terrorists in Gaza, passing in shut proximity to the Al Ahli hospital in Gaza on the time it was hit,” a spokesperson for the Israel Protection Forces stated.
‘Violation of worldwide legal guidelines’
Taking to social media platform X, World Well being Organisation Director Common Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus condemned the lethal assault. He known as for the “speedy safety of civilians” and for Israel’s “evacuation orders to be reversed”.
Tamara al-Rifai, from the UN Reduction and Works Company, instructed Al Jazeera that was there was “direct Israeli fireplace” on the al-Ahli Arab Hospital and one other refugee centre within the space.
“An assault on densely populated refugee camps the place individuals are sheltering in UN faculties and premises is one thing that’s completely stunning. It’s a very unhappy violation of worldwide humanitarian legislation. I’m misplaced for phrases proper now,” al-Rifai instructed Al Jazeera.
Arab international locations, Iran and Turkey swiftly condemned the assault.
In an announcement issued after the assault, the International Workplace stated Pakistan strongly condemned the Israeli bombing on a hospital.
“Attacking a hospital the place civilians are searching for shelter and emergency therapy is inhumane and indefensible,” it said, including that concentrating on the civilian inhabitants and amenities was a grave violation of worldwide legislation.
Protesters and Palestinian forces conflict in West Financial institution
Palestinian forces within the Israeli-occupied West Financial institution clashed on Tuesday with protesters against Palestinian Authority president Mahmud Abbas, an AFP journalist stated.
Palestinian forces in Ramallah fired tear gasoline at demonstrators who had gathered, calling for Abbas to step down.
“The individuals need the autumn of the president,” demonstrators chanted in Ramallah.
An Al Jazeera correspondent reporting from the location stated: “That is by far the most important protest in Ramallah for the reason that Israel-Hamas warfare began. There are teams of males working and throwing rocks. Police are firing tear gasoline.”
Hussein al-Sheikh, a senior Palestinian official, stated Abbas was returning instantly “to the homeland”.
Abbas “requires an emergency assembly of the management tonight,” Sheikh wrote on X, previously Twitter.
Humanitarian disaster
Round 3,000 individuals, principally youngsters, have been killed in Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip over the previous 10 days, the Palestinian well being ministry stated on Monday because the humanitarian disaster within the enclave continues to worsen.
Greater than 12,500 others have been wounded since Israel began bombarding Gaza in retaliation for Hamas assaults in Israel which killed greater than 1,400 individuals. The ministry added that 61 Palestinians had been additionally killed whereas 1,250 had been wounded within the occupied West Financial institution throughout the identical interval.
Israel has vowed to annihilate the Hamas group after its fighters killed 1,300 individuals — the deadliest single day in Israel’s 75-year historical past. It now prepares to escalate a floor offensive in response to the Hamas blitz.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu known as for broad worldwide assist within the nation’s warfare in opposition to Hamas.
“The savagery that we witnessed perpetrated by the Hamas murderers popping out of Gaza had been the worst crimes dedicated in opposition to Jews for the reason that Holocaust,” Netanyahu stated, referring to the extermination of greater than six million Jews by the Nazis.
Israel has tightened its blockade on Gaza, together with by proscribing the entry of meals, water and gasoline and bombarding the realm with air strikes which have killed hundreds of Palestinians, displaced tons of of hundreds extra and resulted in extreme shortages of meals, water and medical provides.
In line with the United Nations’ World Meals Programme, the meals scenario within the besieged Gaza Strip is working “actually brief”.
“Contained in the outlets, the shares are getting near lower than just a few days, perhaps 4 or 5 days of meals shares left,” WFP’s Center East spokeswoman Abeer Etefa, instructed reporters in Geneva by way of video hyperlink from Cairo.
She stated that out of 5 flour mills within the Gaza Strip, just one was working on account of safety issues and the unavailability of gasoline.
“So the bread provide is working low and individuals are lining up for hours to get bread,” she stated.
Solely 5 bakeries out of 23 in Gaza contracted by WFP had been nonetheless in operation, she added. “Our meals provides inside Gaza are working actually brief,” stated Etefa.
The spokeswoman stated there was no looting of WFP warehouses, and “anyway, no matter we’ve got left within the warehouses is so little”.
Gaza hospitals at ‘breaking level’
“Hospitals are at a breaking level and are overflowing and with individuals desperately searching for a secure shelter,” the WHO has stated.
“Crowding is getting worse. Over 30,000 individuals are sheltering at Shifa Hospital alone,” the UN company instructed AFP, quoting Hamas well being ministry figures.
“We’re extraordinarily involved about illness outbreaks on account of mass displacement and poor water and sanitation amongst people who find themselves already in a dire scenario.”
The hospitals are engaging as a result of they’ve been comparatively spared from the Israeli bombing raids which have hit Gaza on daily basis for the reason that October 7 assaults.
However the WHO says that 111 medical buildings have been hit, 12 medical staff have been killed and 60 ambulances focused.
About a million individuals from northern Gaza have moved to Khan Yunis and different southern districts to keep away from the looming Israeli floor offensive.
About 100,000 individuals are left within the northern district round Gaza Metropolis that Israel says is a Hamas stronghold and has warned would be the goal of its assault.
Situations throughout the tiny territory are worsening on daily basis for the two.4 million inhabitants, in accordance with assist businesses.
Unicef, the UN youngsters’s company, has stated that except water and gasoline are despatched “instantly”, Gaza inhabitants are in “imminent hazard” of epidemics and dying.
Support at Rafah
Support businesses have been flying provides into El Arish airport in Egypt — round 20 kilometres away from the Rafah border crossing and the one one into the Gaza Strip not managed by Israel.
To date Egypt has saved the crossing closed to help moving into or international nationals making an attempt to flee, as Israel has repeatedly struck the Palestinian facet of the crossing.
A Palestinian lady reacts on the website of Israeli strikes on homes, in Rafah within the southern Gaza Strip October 17, 2023. — Reuters
Ahmed Salem of the Sinai Basis stated that the vehicles heading for the border contained Egyptian assist and that the worldwide assist remained in warehouses.
Salem and one other safety supply stated Egypt had repaired the roads throughout the crossing that had been broken by Israeli strikes.
Etefa stated the WFP had mobilised over 300 metric tonnes of meals that was both at or on its option to the Rafah border crossing from Egypt into the Gaza Strip — sufficient meals to feed round 250,000 individuals for one week.
“Everybody remains to be very hopeful that we will get inside and because of this extra provides are on the way in which,” she stated.
“We name for unimpeded entry, secure passage for desperately-needed humanitarian provides into Gaza.”
The UN’s humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths is because of arrive in Cairo on Tuesday on a go to to the area, anticipated to final a number of days, to barter assist entry to the Gaza Strip.
He’s set to go to Israel, and, if circumstances allow, to the Palestinian territories, a spokesman stated.
Individually, Dr Richard Brennan, regional emergency director of the World Well being Organisation Jap Mediterranean regional workplace, stated the company was assembly with “decision-makers” at present to open entry to Gaza as quickly as potential.
“We’ve got assist south of Rafa and ready for the go forward to get right of entry to Gaza,” he stated, referring to the Rafa crossing, which was a significant artery earlier than the combating and is now a key route for desperately wanted provides into Gaza.
Biden to go to Israel
US President Joe Biden will make a high-stakes go to to Israel in a big present of US assist for its high Center East ally.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken concluded hours of talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv early on Tuesday by saying that Biden would go to Israel.
“The president will hear from Israel what it must defend its individuals as we proceed to work with Congress to fulfill these wants,” Blinken instructed reporters.
A paramedic carries a Palestinian little one casualty out of a home destroyed by Israeli strikes, in Khan Younis within the southern Gaza Strip on October 17, 2023. —Reuters/Ahmed Zakot
Biden would meet with Netanyahu, reaffirm Washington’s dedication to Israel’s safety, and obtain a complete transient on its warfare goals and technique, Blinken stated.
“(The) president will hear from Israel the way it will conduct its operations in a means that minimises civilian casualties and permits humanitarian help to move to civilians in Gaza in a means that doesn’t profit Hamas,” Blinken added.
Blinken additionally stated he and Netanyahu had agreed to develop a plan to get humanitarian assist to Gaza civilians. He didn’t present particulars.
After visiting Israel, Biden would journey to Jordan to fulfill King Abdullah, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, US nationwide safety spokesperson John Kirby stated.
Israeli officers say that along with the casualties Hamas inflicted, the group took some 199 hostages into Gaza.
Khaled Meshaal, a high Hamas chief, stated on Monday the group “has what it wants” to free all Palestinians in Israel’s jails, indicating it could attempt to use the kidnapped Israelis as bargaining chips.
Quickly after Meshaal’s remarks, the group’s armed wing individually stated the non-Israelis it had taken captive had been “friends” who can be launched “when circumstances permit”.
Mourners react as our bodies of Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes lie at a hospital in Khan Younis within the southern Gaza Strip, October 17, 2023.—Reuters
Hamas launched a video on Monday by which a French-Israeli lady captive was proven having her injured arm handled by an unidentified medical employee. She recognized herself as 21-year-old Mia Schem and requested to be returned to her household as rapidly as potential.
The Israeli navy claimed it had struck Hamas targets in a single day, together with Hamas’ headquarters and a financial institution utilized by the group. It additionally claimed {that a} Hamas operative was killed within the strikes.
FM Jilani in Jeddah for OIC assembly
In the meantime, the International Workplace (FO) stated that caretaker International Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani has reached Jeddah to attend the pressing open-ended ministerial assembly of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Saudi Arabia tomorrow (October 18).
In an announcement at present, the FO stated the assembly was co-convened by Pakistan and Saudi Arabia to debate the Gaza disaster and the humanitarian scenario of the besieged civilians.
It said that the international minister has been engaged in consultations along with his counterparts in OIC international locations.
“Within the leadup to this Extraordinary Session, he has held phone conversations with the International Ministers of Egypt, Iran, Türkiye and the UAE.
“Throughout these consultations, the International Minister expressed Pakistan’s deep issues on the present scenario in Gaza ensuing from Israeli bombardment and siege of the enclave. He’ll proceed these consultations with in-person conferences in Jeddah,” the FO stated.
Relating to tomorrow’s session, the assertion highlighted that FM Jilani has underlined Pakistan’s precedence for a collective demand by OIC for a ceasefire and provision of humanitarian help via corridors in order that meals, medication, water and different needed provides may attain the individuals of Gaza with out additional delay.
“Subsequent efforts must be directed in the direction of a simply, complete and lasting resolution to the Palestinian query anchored in worldwide legislation and consistent with related United Nations and OIC resolutions.
“A viable, sovereign and contiguous State of Palestine must be established on the idea of pre-1967 borders, with Al Quds Al-Sharif as its capital,” the FO added.
Chinese language envoy heads to Center East in bid to include warfare
China will this week weigh into the Israel-Hamas warfare by sending its particular envoy to the Center East, after america requested it to make use of its affect to cease the battle from spreading.
Washington says it hopes China’s friendship with Hamas backer Iran may assist calm the battle, notably after Beijing brokered a detente between long-time foes Tehran and Riyadh earlier this yr.
Iran has warned of a potential “pre-emptive motion” in opposition to Israel because it prepares a floor offensive on the Gaza Strip. There are additionally fears that Lebanon-based Hezbollah, which can be backed by Iran, may open up a second entrance with Israel.
“Our message was that he thinks it’s in our shared curiosity to cease the battle from spreading,” US State Division spokesman Matthew Miller instructed reporters on Saturday, after Antony Blinken spoke with Chinese language International Minister Wang Yi by cellphone.
“He thought it might be helpful if China may use its affect.”
China then introduced envoy Zhai Jun will go to the Center East this week, with international ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning saying his goal was “to pool worldwide consensus, urge related events to cease hostilities, settle down the scenario and create needed circumstances for political settlement”.
No particulars have but been introduced on Zhai’s itinerary or the precise timing of his journey.
Iran warns of ‘long-term warfare’
Iranian International Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian instructed state TV that Israel wouldn’t be allowed to behave in Gaza with out penalties, warning of “preemptive motion” by the “resistance entrance” within the coming hours.
Iran refers to regional international locations and forces against Israel and america as a resistance entrance.
“All choices are open and we can’t be detached to the warfare crimes dedicated in opposition to the individuals of Gaza,” Amirabdollahian stated. “The resistance entrance is able to waging a long-term warfare with the enemy.”
Palestinians seek for casualties beneath the rubble of a constructing destroyed by Israeli strikes in Khan Younis within the southern Gaza Strip, October 17, 2023.—Reuters/Mohammed Salem
Japan, the present president of the Group of seven developed nations, stated it was within the remaining levels of arranging a name with Iran, International Minister Yoko Kamikawa stated, as she introduced $10 million in humanitarian assist for Gaza.
Final week, Iran’s Supreme Chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stated Tehran was not concerned within the Hamas assault on Israel, however hailed what he known as Israel’s “irreparable” navy and intelligence defeat.
Within the largest signal but that the warfare may unfold to a brand new entrance, Israel ordered the evacuation on Monday of 28 villages in a 2-km-deep (1.2-mile) zone close to the Lebanese border.
Netanyahu stated Israelis ought to put together for an extended battle.
“And I’ve a message for Iran and Hezbollah, don’t take a look at us within the north. Don’t make the identical mistake you as soon as made. As a result of at present the value you’ll pay shall be a lot heavier,” he instructed the Israeli parliament on Monday.
Russia push for UN Safety Council motion on Israel, Gaza fails
A Russian-drafted UN Safety Council decision that might have known as for a humanitarian ceasefire within the warfare between Israel and Hamas in Gaza didn’t get the minimal 9 votes wanted within the 15-member physique on Monday.
The draft decision obtained 5 votes in favour, 4 votes in opposition to and there have been six abstentions.
British Ambassador to the United Nations Barbara Woodward and US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield vote in opposition to the decision put ahead by Russia throughout a gathering of the United Nations Safety Council on the battle between Israel and Hamas at UN headquarters in New York, US, October 16, 2023.— Reuters
Russia proposed the one-page draft textual content on Friday, which additionally known as for the discharge of hostages, humanitarian assist entry and the secure evacuation of civilians in want.
The textual content condemned violence in opposition to civilians and all acts of terrorism, however didn’t title Hamas.
Former prime minister Shehbaz Sharif stated the failure to undertake the decision was “not simply disappointing however deeply troubling”.
US common visits Israel
Diplomatic efforts have targeting getting assist into Gaza via the Rafah crossing with Egypt, the only route that’s not managed by Israel. Cairo stated the Rafah crossing was not formally closed however was inoperable on account of Israeli strikes on the Gaza facet.
On the navy entrance, the US has deployed two plane carriers and their supporting ships to the jap Mediterranean for the reason that assaults on Israel. The ships had been meant as a deterrent to make sure the battle didn’t unfold, US officers stated.
The highest US common overseeing American forces within the Center East, Central Command chief Military Common Michael “Erik” Kurilla, made an unannounced journey to Israel on Tuesday, saying he hoped to make sure its navy has what it wants.
As Israel lots troops on Gaza’s border, it has instructed greater than one million individuals within the northern half of the enclave to flee to the southern half for his or her security, regardless that Hamas has instructed them to remain put.
A Palestinian with twin citizenship waits outdoors the Rafah border crossing with Egypt within the hope of getting permission to go away Gaza, in Rafah within the southern Gaza Strip October 17, 2023.—Reuters
Whereas tens of hundreds have fled south, the United Nations says there isn’t any option to transfer so many individuals with out inflicting a humanitarian disaster.
The United Nations says one million Gazans have already been pushed from their houses. Energy is out, sanitary water is scarce and gasoline for hospital emergency turbines is working low.
Russian President Vladimir Putin instructed Netanyahu on Monday that Moscow wished to assist stop a humanitarian catastrophe. A Russian-drafted UN Safety Council decision that might have known as for a humanitarian ceasefire didn’t get the minimal 9 votes wanted within the 15-member physique on Monday.