The world is in shock after a deadly airstrike hit the Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza, leaving hundreds of Palestinians dead, in the midst of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
The attack has drawn international condemnation, with Arab countries blaming Israel for the strike, while Israel claimed otherwise saying it was a misfired rocket from the Palestinian group Hamas.
Amidst this crisis, U.S. President Joe Biden embarked on a high-stakes visit to Tel Aviv to express solidarity with Israel, its longstanding ally.
Upon his arrival, Biden voiced support for Israel’s stance, stating that it seemed the attack was carried out by the Palestinian group Hamas. However, he acknowledged the confusion surrounding the incident, emphasizing the need to overcome uncertainties and misunderstandings.
“I was deeply saddened and outraged by the explosion at the hospital in Gaza yesterday. And based on what I’ve seen, it appears as though it was done by the other team, not you,” Biden said during his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Biden also urged global recognition that Hamas does not represent all Palestinians and emphasized the importance of assisting innocent Palestinians affected by the conflict.
In response to the escalating humanitarian crisis, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that Israel had agreed to collaborate with the United States on a plan to provide aid to Gaza. However, the situation on the ground continues to deteriorate, with thousands dead, entire neighborhoods razed, and survivors struggling with diminishing supplies of essential resources like food, water, and fuel.
The destruction of the Ahli Arab Hospital, which was already subject to evacuation orders, resulted in a chaotic scene in Gaza. Stunned and bereaved relatives attempted to identify their loved ones among the scores of bodies lining the floors of nearby medical facilities. Hospitals, considered sanctuaries, have faced continuous attacks, with more than 100 incidents reported since October 7, according to the World Health Organization.
International leaders expressed their outrage over the hospital attack. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell called for the perpetrators to be held accountable, emphasizing the need to establish responsibility for this tragic event.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and warned against collective punishment of the Palestinian people.
In response to the hospital attack, Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar condemned Israel’s actions, labeling the targeting of a hospital, a place of refuge, as an indefensible act of inhumanity. He urged the international community to act swiftly to halt the violence and hold those responsible accountable.
