Israel Says Gaza Hospital Explosion That Killed Hundreds Was Caused by Failed Terrorist Rocket

By Randy DeSoto October 17, 2023 at 4:45pm

Israel’s government stated Tuesday an errant Palestinian Islamic Jihad rocket and not the Israeli Defense Force was responsible for an explosion at a hospital in Gaza that reportedly killed hundreds.

The Hamas-run Health Ministry said that at least 500 people were killed in the blast at the Al Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City, The Associated Press reported.

Palestinian officials blamed Israel for the strike.

Palestinian Authority Civil Defense spokesman Mahmoud Basal said, “The massacre at al-Ahli Arab Hospital is unprecedented in our history,”according to The Wall Street Journal.

“While we’ve witnessed tragedies in past wars and days, but what took place tonight is tantamount to a genocide.”

However an IDF representative said, “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, the Islamic Jihad terrorist organization is responsible for the failed shooting that hit the hospital,” the IDF added.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry said on social media the Islamic Jihad rocket misfired resulting in it hitting the Gaza hospital.

An Al Jazeera broadcast documented the moment that the Islamic Jihad launched a rocket which misfired and hit a hospital in Gaza, killing hundreds. pic.twitter.com/O5Lx1BtOtJ

— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) October 17, 2023

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu posted on X, “The entire world should know: It was barbaric terrorists in Gaza that attacked the hospital in Gaza, and not the IDF.”

“Those who brutally murdered our children also murder their own children,” he added.

The entire world should know: It was barbaric terrorists in Gaza that attacked the hospital in Gaza, and not the IDF.

Those who brutally murdered our children also murder their own children.

— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) October 17, 2023

A senior U.S. official told ABC News, at this point we “just don’t know where the rocket came from.”

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Tags:

Gaza, Israel, Medical, Palestinian Authority, Palestinians, War

Randy DeSoto

Senior Staff Writer

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Randy DeSoto has written more than 3,000 articles for The Western Journal since he joined the company in 2015. He is a graduate of West Point and Regent University School of Law. He is the author of the book "We Hold These Truths" and screenwriter of the political documentary "I Want Your Money."

@RandyDeSoto

Randy DeSoto is the senior staff writer for The Western Journal. He wrote and was the assistant producer of the documentary film "I Want Your Money" about the perils of Big Government, comparing the presidencies of Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama. Randy is the author of the book "We Hold These Truths," which addresses how leaders have appealed to beliefs found in the Declaration of Independence at defining moments in our nation's history. He has been published in several political sites and newspapers.

Randy graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point with a BS in political science and Regent University School of Law with a juris doctorate.

Birthplace

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Nationality

American

Honors/Awards

Graduated dean's list from West Point

Education

United States Military Academy at West Point, Regent University School of Law

Books Written

We Hold These Truths

Professional Memberships

Virginia and Pennsylvania state bars